Quantitative estimation of the α-effect in the reactions yielding phosphorus-containing thiosemicarbazides

The α-effect in the reactions of O,O-diaryl phosphorohydrazidothioates with phenyl isothiocyanate in benzene at 25°C was quantitatively evaluated from the kinetic data. The probable reaction mechanism was suggested, and the causes of the α-effect in these reactions are discussed. An approximate linear correlation is observed between the α-effect in the reactions of O,O-diaryl phosphorohydrazidothioates with phenyl isothiocyanate, basicity constants of the hydrazides, and σ^p constants of the substituents at the P atom. The value of the α-effect is largely determined by the structure of the transition state.