Kinetic study of the phenolysis of O-methyl and O-phenyl O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thiocarbonates and O-ethyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl dithiocarbonate

The reactions of a series of phenols with O-methyl O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thiocarbonate (MDNPTOC), O-phenyl O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thiocarbonate (PDNPTOC), and O-ethyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl dithiocarbonate (EDNPDTC) are studied kinetically in water, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). All reactions show pseudo-first-order kinetics under an excess of phenol over the substrate, and are first order in phenoxide anion. The reactions of EDNPDTC show a linear Br?nsted-type plot of slope beta = 0.67, suggesting a concerted mechanism. On the other hand, the phenolyses of MDNPTOC and PDNPTOC exhibit linear Br?nsted-type plots of slopes beta = 0.27 and 0.28, respectively, consistent with stepwise mechanisms where the formation of an anionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(-)) is rate determining. By comparison of the kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions under investigation with similar reactions, the following conclusions arise: (i). Substitution of S(-) by O(-) in the intermediate T(-) destabilizes this species. (ii). The change of DNPO in T(-) to DNPS also destabilizes this intermediate. (iii). Substitution of MeO by PhO as the nonleaving group of the substrate does not affect the kinetics, probably by a compensation of electronic and steric effects. (iv). The change of an amino group in a tetrahedral intermediate to a phenoxy group destabilizes the intermediate.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the benzenethiolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl methyl carbonates and S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) and S-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) ethyl thiolcarbonates

The reactions of 2,4-dinitrophenyl and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl methyl carbonates (DNPC and TNPC, respectively) and S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) and S-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) ethyl thiolcarbonates (DNPTC and TNPTC, respectively) with a series of benzenethiolate anions were subjected to a kinetic investigation in water, at 25.0 degrees C, and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). These reactions obey pseudo-first-order kinetics, under excess of benzenethiolate, and are first order in the latter reactant. However, comparable reactant concentrations were used in the reactions of 4-nitrobenzenethiolate anion with TNPC and TNPTC, which showed second-order kinetics. The nucleophilic rate constants are pH independent, except those for the reactions of TNPC with 4-methoxy- and pentafluorobenzenethiolates, and TNPTC with benzenethiolate and 4-chloro- and 3-chlorobenzenethiolates, which show acid dependence. The Br?nsted-type plots for the nucleophilic rate constants are linear with slopes beta = 0.9, 1.0, 0.9, and 0.9 for the reactions of DNPC, TNPC, DNPTC, and TNPTC, respectively. No break in the Br?nsted plot was found for the reactions of DNPC and DNPTC at pK(a) ca. 4.1 and 3.4, respectively, consistent with concerted mechanisms. TNPC is more reactive toward benzenethiolate anions than DNPC, and TNPTC more than DNPTC due to the better leaving groups involved. Comparison of the kinetic results obtained in this work with those for the concerted phenolysis of the same substrates shows that benzenethiolate anions are better nucleophiles toward carbonates than isobasic phenoxide anions. This is explained by Pearson's "hard and soft acids and bases" principle.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of methyl 4-nitrophenyl,methyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl,and phenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonates

The reactions of methyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (MNPC) with a series of secondary alicyclic amines (SAA) and quinuclidines (QUIN), methyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonate (MDNPC) with QUIN and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazinium ion (HPA), and phenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonate (PDNPC) with SAA are subjected to a kinetic investigation in aqueous solution, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M. By following spectrophotometrically the nucleofuge release (330-400 nm) under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are obtained. Plots of k(obsd) vs [amine] at constant pH are linear, with the slope (k(N)) being pH independent. The Br?nsted-type plot (log k(N) vs amine pK(a)) for the reactions of SAA with MNPC is biphasic with slopes beta(1) = 0.3 (high pK(a) region) and beta(2) = 1.0 (low pK(a) region) and a curvature center at pK(a)(0) = 9.3. This plot is consistent with a stepwise mechanism through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(+/-)) and a change in the rate-determining step with SAA basicity. The Br?nsted plot for the quinuclidinolysis of MNPC is linear with slope beta(N) = 0.86, in line with a stepwise process where breakdown of T(+/-) to products is rate limiting. A previous work on the reactions of SAA with MDNPC was revised by including the reaction of HPA. The Br?nsted plots for the reactions of QUIN and SAA with MDNPC and SAA with PDNPC are linear with slopes beta = 0.51, 0.48, and 0.39, respectively, consistent with concerted mechanisms. Since quinuclidines are better leaving groups from T(+/-) than isobasic SAA, yielding a less stable T(+/-), it seems doubtful that the quinuclidinolysis of PDNPC is stepwise, as reported.     

Effect of changing electrophilic center from C=O to C=S on rates and mechanism: pyridinolyses of O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thionobenzoate and its oxygen analogue

Second-order rate constants have been measured spectrophotometrically for the reactions of O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thionobenzoate (1) and 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (2) with a series of substituted pyridines in 80 mol % H(2)O/20 mol % DMSO at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. The Br?nsted-type plots obtained are nonlinear with beta(1) = 0.26, beta(2) = 1.07, and pK(a) degrees = 7.5 for the reactions of 1 and beta(1) = 0.40, beta(2) = 0.90, and pK(a) degrees = 9.5 for the reactions of 2, suggesting that the pyridinolyses of 1 and 2 proceed through a zwiterionic tetrahedral intermediate T(+/-) with a change in the rate-determining step at pK(a) degrees = 7.5 and 9.5, respectively. The thiono ester 1 is more reactive than its oxygen analogue 2 except for the reaction with the strongest basic pyridine studied (pK(a) = 11.30). The k(1) value is larger for the reactions of 1 than for those of 2 in the low pK(a) region, but the difference in the k(1) value becomes negligible with increasing the basicity of pyridines. On the other hand, 1 exhibits slightly larger k(2)/k(-1) ratio than 2 in the low pK(a) region but the difference in the k(2)/k(-1) ratio becomes more significant with increasing the basicity of pyridines. Pyridines are more reactive than alicyclic secondary amines of similar basicity toward 2 in the pK(a) above ca. 7.2 but less reactive in the pK(a) below ca. 7.2. The k(1) value is slightly larger, but the k(2)/k(-1) ratio is much smaller for the reactions of 2 with pyridines than with isobasic secondary amines in the low pK(a) region, which is responsible for the fact that the weakly basic pyridines are less reactive than isobasic secondary amines.     

Kinetic study of the aminolysis and pyridinolysis of O-phenyl and O-ethyl O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) thiocarbonates. A remarkable leaving group effect

The reactions of a series of secondary alicyclic (SA) amines with O-phenyl and O-ethyl O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) thiocarbonates (1 and 2, respectively) and of a series of pyridines with the former substrate are subjected to a kinetic investigation in water, at 25.0 degrees C, ionic strength 0.2 M (KCl). Under amine excess over the substrate, all the reactions obey pseudo-first-order kinetics and are first-order in amine. The Br?nsted-type plots are biphasic, with slopes (at high pK(a)) of beta(1) = 0.20 for the reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2 and beta(1) = 0.10 for the pyridinolysis of 1 and with slopes (at low pK(a)) of beta(2) = 0.80 for the reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2 and beta(2) = 1.0 for the pyridinolysis of 1. The pK(a) values at the curvature center (pK(a)(0)) are 7.7, 7.0, and 7.0, respectively. These results are consistent with the existence of a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T++) and a change in the rate-determining step with the variation of amine basicity. The larger pK(a)(0) value for the pyridinolysis of 1 compared to that for 2 (pK(a)(0) = 6.8) and the larger pK(a)(0) value for the reactions of SA amines with 1 relative to 2 are explained by the greater inductive electron withdrawal of PhO compared to EtO. The larger pK(a)(0) values for the reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2, relative to their corresponding pyridinolysis, are attributed to the greater nucleofugalities of SA amines compared to isobasic pyridines. The smaller pK(a)(0) value for the reactions of SA amines with 2 than with O-ethyl S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) dithiocarbonate (pK(a)(0) = 9.2) is explained by the greater nucleofugality from T(++) of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide (DNPO(-)) relative to the thio derivative. The stepwise reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2, in contrast to the concerted mechanisms for the reactions of the same amines with the corresponding carbonates, is attributed to stabilization of T(++) by the change of O(-) to S(-). The simple mechanism for the SA aminolysis of 2 (only one tetrahedral intermediate, T(++)) is in contrast to the more complex mechanism (two tetrahedral intermediates, T(++) and T(-), the latter formed by deprotonation of T(++) by the amine) for the same aminolysis of the analogous thionocarbonate with 4-nitrophenoxide (NPO(-)) as nucleofuge. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a remarkable change in the decomposition path of a tetrahedral intermediate T by replacement of NPO(-) with DNPO(-) as the leaving group of the substrate. This is explained by (i) the greater leaving ability from T(++) of DNPO(-) than NPO(-) and (ii) the similar rates of deprotonation of both T(++) (formed with DNPO and NPO).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the pyridinolysis of S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-substituted thiobenzoates

[reaction: see text] The reactions of S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-methyl (1), S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-H (2), S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-chloro (3), and S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-nitro (4) thiobenzoates with a structurally homogeneous series of pyridines are subjected to a kinetic investigation in 44 wt % ethanol-water, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions are studied spectrophotometrically (420 nm) by monitoring the appearance of 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate anion. Pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are obtained for all the reactions, employing excess of amine. The plots of k(obsd) vs [free pyridine] at constant pH are linear with the slopes (k(N)) independent of pH. The Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N) vs pK(a) of the conjugate acid of the pyridines) are curved for all the reactions. The Br?nsted curves are in accordance with stepwise mechanisms, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(+/-)), and a change in the rate-limiting step. An equation based on this hypothesis accounts well for the experimental points. The Br?nsted lines were calculated with the following parameters: Reactions of thiolbenzoate 1: beta(1) 0.33 (slope at high pK(a)), beta(2) 0.95 (slope at low pK(a)), and pK(a)(0) = 8.5 (pK(a) at the curvature center); thiolbenzoate 2: beta(1) 0.30, beta(2) 0.88, and pK(a)(0) = 8.9; thiolbenzoate 3: beta(1) 0.33, beta(2) 0.89, and pK(a)(0) = 9.5; thiolbenzoate 4: beta(1) 0.21, beta(2) 0.97, and pK(a)(0) = 9.9. The increase of the pK(a)(0) value with the increase of the electron-withdrawing effect of the acyl substituent is explained by the argument that the rate of pyridine expulsion from T(+/-) (k(-)(1)) is favored over that of 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate leaving (k(2)), i.e., k(-)(1)/k(2) increases, as the acyl group becomes more electron withdrawing. The pK(a)(0) values for the title reactions are smaller than those for the reactions of the corresponding 4-nitrophenyl 4-substituted thiolbenzoates with the same pyridine series. This is explained by the larger k(2) value for 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate leaving from T(+/-) compared with 4-nitrobenzenethiolate, which results in lower k(-)(1)/k(2) ratios for the dinitro derivatives. The pK(a)(0) value obtained for the pyridinolysis of thiolbenzoate 2 (pK(a)(0) = 8.9) is smaller than that found for the same aminolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (pK(a)(0) = 9.5). This is attributed to the greater nucleofugality from T(+/-) of 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate (pK(a) of conjugate acid 3.4) relative to 2,4-dinitrophenoxide (pK(a) of conjugate acid 4.1). The title reactions are also compared with the aminolysis of similar esters to assess the effect of the amine nature and leaving and acyl groups on the kinetics and mechanism.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of 4-methylphenyl and 4-chlorophenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonates in aqueous ethanol

The reactions of anilines with 4-methylphenyl and 4-chlorophenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonates (MPDNPC and ClPDNPC, respectively) and the latter substrate with secondary alicyclic (SA) amines are subjected to a kinetic study in 44 wt % ethanol-water solution, at 25.0 degrees C, and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions are studied by following spectrophotometrically (360 nm) the release of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide anion. Under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are found. Plots of k(obsd) vs [amine] are linear and pH-independent, with slope k(N). The Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N) vs pK(a) of aminium ions) are linear, with slopes beta = 0.68 and 0.66 for the reactions of anilines with MPDNPC and ClPDNPC, respectively, and beta = 0.44 for the reactions of SA amines with ClPDNPC. The magnitude of the slope for the latter reaction indicates that its mechanism is concerted. The slope values for the reactions of anilines are in the borderline between stepwise and concerted mechanisms. The sensitivity of logk(N) to the basicity of the nonleaving group (beta(nlg)) is ca. -0.7 for the reactions of anilines, in agreement with that found for the SA reactions (beta(nlg) ca. -0.6). These results suggest that the reactions of anilines are concerted, although it is also possible that both mechanisms (stepwise and concerted) operate simultaneously. By comparison of the reactions under investigation between them and with similar aminolyses, the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) ClPDNPC is more reactive than MPDNPC toward the two amine series. (ii) The change of water to aqueous ethanol destabilizes a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate. (iii) The change of the nonleaving group from MeO to 4-methylphenoxy or 4-chlorophenoxy also destabilizes this intermediate.     

Effects of amine nature and nonleaving group substituents on rate and mechanism in aminolyses of 2,4-dinitrophenyl X-substituted benzoates

Second-order rate constants have been measured for the reactions of 2,4-dinitrophenyl X-substituted benzoates (1a-f) with a series of primary amines in 80 mol % H(2)O/20 mol % DMSO at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. The Br?nsted-type plot for the reactions of 1d with primary amines is biphasic with slopes beta(1) = 0.36 at the high pK(a) region and beta(2) = 0.78 at the low pK(a) region and the curvature center at pK(a) degrees = 9.2, indicating that the reaction proceeds through an addition intermediate with a change in the rate-determining step as the basicity of amines increases. The corresponding Br?nsted-type plot for the reactions with secondary amines is also biphasic with beta(1) = 0.34, beta(2) = 0.74, and pK(a) degrees = 9.1, indicating that the effect of amine nature on the reaction mechanism and pK(a) degrees is insignificant. However, primary amines have been found to be less reactive than isobasic secondary amines. The microscopic rate constants associated with the aminolysis have revealed that the smaller k(1) for the reactions with primary amines is fully responsible for their lower reactivity. The electron-donating substituent in the nonleaving group exhibits a negative deviation from the Hammett plots for the reactions of 1a-f with primary and secondary amines, while the corresponding Yukawa-Tsuno plots are linear. The negative deviation has been ascribed to stabilization of the ground state of the substrate through resonance interaction between the electron-donating substituent and the carbonyl functionality.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of O-aryl S-methyl thiocarbonates

[reaction: see text] The reactions of secondary alicyclic (SA) amines and quinuclidines (QUI) with 4-nitrophenyl and 2,4-dinitrophenyl S-methyl thiocarbonates (1 and 2, respectively) and those of SA amines with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl S-methyl thiocarbonate (3) are subjected to a kinetic study in aqueous solution, at 25.0 degrees C, and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions of thiocarbonates 1, 2, and 3 were followed spectrophotometrically at 400, 360, and 220 nm, respectively. Under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are found. Plots of k(obsd) vs amine concentration at constant pH are linear, with the slope (kN) independent of pH. The Br?nsted-type plots (log kN vs pKa of aminium ions) are linear for all the reactions, with slopes beta = 0.9 for those of 1 with SA amines and QUI, beta = 0.36 and 0.57 for the reactions of 2 with SA amines and QUI, respectively, and beta = 0.39 for the reactions of SA amines with 3. The magnitude of the slopes indicates that both aminolyses of 1 are governed by stepwise mechanisms, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T+/-), where expulsion of the nucleofuge from T+/- is the rate-determining step. The values of the Br?nsted slopes found for the aminolyses of thiocarbonates 2 and 3 suggest that these reactions are concerted. By comparison of the reactions under investigation between them and with similar aminolyses, the following conclusions arise: (i) Thiocarbonate 2 is more reactive than 1 toward the two amine series. (ii) The change of the nonleaving group from MeO in 4-nitrophenyl methyl carbonate to MeS in thiocarbonate 1 results in lower kN values. (iii) The greater reactivity of this carbonate than thiocarbonate 1 is attributed to steric hindrance of the MeS group, compared to MeO toward amine attack. (iv) The change of a pyridine to an isobasic SA amine or QUI destabilizes the T+/- intermediate formed in the aminolyses of 2. (v) The change of 4-nitrophenoxy to 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorphenoxy or 2,4-dinitrophenoxy as the leaving group destabilizes the tetrahedral intermediate formed in the reactions with SA amines, changing the mechanism from a stepwise process to a concerted reaction.     

Experimental and theoretical study on the substitution reactions of aryl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonates with quinuclidines

The reactions of quinuclidines with phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, and 4-chlorophenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonates are kinetically evaluated in aqueous solution. The Brønsted-type plots (log k_N vs pK_a of quinuclidinium ions) are linear. The magnitude of the slopes and validated theoretical scales of electrophilicity and nucleophilicity confirm the concerted nature of these reactions.     

Concerted mechanisms of the reactions of methyl aryl carbonates with substituted phenoxide ions

The reactions of 4-nitrophenyl, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl methyl carbonates (NPC, DNPC, and TNPC, respectively) with substituted phenoxide ions are subjected to a kinetic study in water at 25.0 degrees C, ionic strength 0.2 M (KCl). Production of the leaving groups (the nitro derivatives) is followed spectrophotometrically. Under excess of the phenoxide ions pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are found throughout. Plots of k(obsd) vs substituted phenoxide concentration at constant pH are linear, with the slope (k(N)) independent of pH. The Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N) vs pK(a) of the phenols) are linear with slopes beta = 0.67, 0.48, and 0.52 for the phenolysis of NPC, DNPC, and TNPC, respectively. The magnitudes of these Br?nsted slopes are consistent with a concerted mechanism. In the particular case of the phenolysis of NPC the expected hypothetical curvature center of the Br?nsted plot for a stepwise mechanism should be pK(a)(0) = 7.1 (the pK(a) of 4-nitrophenol). This curvature does not appear within the pK(a) range of the substituted phenols studied (5.3--10.3), indicating that these reactions are concerted. The phenolysis of DNPC and TNPC should also be concerted in view of the even more unstable tetrahedral intermediates that would be formed if the reactions were stepwise. The reactions of the same substrates with pyridines are stepwise, which means that substitution of a pyridine moiety in a tetrahedral intermediate by a phenoxy group destabilizes the intermediate perhaps to the point of nonexistence. The k(N) values for the title reactions are larger than those for the concerted phenolysis of the corresponding ethyl S-aryl thiolcarbonates. The k(N) values found in the present reactions are subjected to a dual regression analysis as a function of the pK(a), of both the nucleophile and leaving group, the coefficients being beta(N) = 0.5 and beta(lg) = -0.3, respectively. These coefficients are consistent with a concerted mechanism.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the pyridinolysis of 4-nitrophenyl and 2,4-dinitrophenyl S-methyl thiocarbonates

The reactions of 4-nitrophenyl and 2,4-dinitrophenyl S-methyl thiocarbonates (1 and 2, respectively) with a series of 3- and/or 4-substituted pyridines in aqueous solution, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl), are subjected to a kinetic investigation. The reactions are studied by following spectrophotometrically the release of 4-nitrophenoxide (400 nm) or 2,4-dinitrophenoxide (360 nm) anions. Under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (kobsd) are found. Plots of kobsd vs [pyridine] are linear and pH-independent, with slope kN. The Br?nsted-type plot (log kN vs pKa of pyridinium ions) for the reactions of 1 is linear, with slope beta = 1.1, in contrast to the plot for the reactions of 2, which is biphasic, with slopes beta1 = 0.25 (high pKa) and beta2 = 0.90 (low pKa) and the curvature center at pKa = p = 7.3. The latter Br?nsted plot is consistent with a stepwise mechanism, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T+/-) on the reaction path, and a change of the rate-determining step, from breakdown to formation of T+/-, as pyridine basicity increases. For the reactions of 1 the beta value indicates that the mechanism is also stepwise with expulsion of the nucleofuge from T+/- as the rate-determining step. By comparison of the reactions under investigation among each other and with similar aminolyses, the following conclusions can be drawn. (i) Thiocarbonate 2 is more reactive than 1 toward pyridines. (ii) The pka0 value for the pyridinolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl methyl carbonate (4) is larger than that for thiocarbonate 2. (iii) The k1 values (pyridine attack to form T+/-) are smaller for thiocarbonates 1 and 2 than the corresponding oxy carbonates 3 and 4, respectively. This is not in accordance with the electronic effects of MeS and MeO and could be attributed to steric hindrance of the MeS group toward pyridine attack. (iv) The kN values for the pyridinolysis of carbonates 3 and 4 are larger than those for thiocarbonates 1 and 2, respectively, when the k2 step is rate-limiting.     

Kinetic study of the phenolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl) carbonate, bis(4-nitrophenyl) thionocarbonate, and methyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonate

The reactions of a homogeneous series of phenols with bis(4-nitrophenyl) carbonate (BNPC), bis(4-nitrophenyl) thionocarbonate (BNPTOC), and methyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonate (MNPTOC) are subjected to a kinetic investigation in water, at 25.0 degrees C and ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). Under excess of phenol over the substrate, all the reactions obey pseudo-first-order kinetics and are first order in phenoxide anion. The reactions of BNPC show a linear Br?nsted-type plot with slope beta = 0.66, consistent with a concerted mechanism (one step). In contrast, those of BNPTOC and MNPTOC show biphasic Br?nsted-type plots with slopes beta = 0.30 and 0.44, respectively, at high pK(a), and beta = 1.25 and 1.60, respectively, at low pK(a), consistent with stepwise mechanisms. For the reactions of both thionocarbonates, the pK(a) value at the center of the Br?nsted plot (pK(a)(0)) is 7.1, which corresponds to the pK(a) of 4-nitrophenol. This confirms that the phenolyses of the thionocarbonates are stepwise processes, with the formation of an anionic tetrahedral intermediate. By the comparison of the kinetics and mechanisms of the title reactions with similar reactions, the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) Substitution of S(-) by O(-) in an anionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(-)) destabilizes it. (ii) The change of MeO by 4-nitrophenoxy in T(-) results in an increase of both the rate constant and equilibrium constant, for the formation of T(-), and also in an enlargement of the rate coefficient for the expulsion of 4-nitrophenoxide from T(-). (iii) Substitution of an amino group in a tetrahedral intermediate by ArO destabilizes it. (iv) Secondary alicyclic amines and other amines show greater reactivity toward MNPTOC than isobasic phenoxide anions.     

Kinetic investigation of the reactions of S-4-nitrophenyl 4-substituted thiobenzoates with secondary alicyclic amines in aqueous ethanol

The reactions of S-4-nitrophenyl 4-X-substituted thiobenzoates (X = H, Cl, and NO(2): 1, 2, and 3, respectively) with a series of secondary alicyclic amines (SAA) were subjected to a kinetic investigation in 44 wt % ethanol-water, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions were followed spectrophotometrically by monitoring the release of 4-nitrobenzenethiolate anion at 420-425 nm. Under excess amine, pseudo-first-order rate constants (k(obsd)) are obtained for all reactions. The plots of k(obsd) vs [SAA] at constant pH are linear with the slope (k(N)) independent of pH. The statistically corrected Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N)/q vs pK(a) + log p/q) for the reactions of 1 and 2 are nonlinear with slopes at high pK(a), beta(1) = 0.27 and 0.10, respectively, and slopes at low pK(a), beta(2) = 0.86 and 0.84, respectively. The Br?nsted curvature is centered at pK(a) (pK(a)(0)) 10.0 and 10.4, respectively. The reactions of SAA with 3 exhibit a linear Br?nsted-type plot of slope 0.81. These results are consistent with a stepwise mechanism, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(+/-)). For the reactions of 1 and 2, there is a change in rate-determining step with amine basicity, from T(+/-) breakdown to products at low pK(a), to T(+/-) formation at high pK(a). For the reactions of 3, breakdown to products of T(+/-) is rate limiting for all the SAA series (pK(a)(0) > 11). The increasing pK(a)(0) value as the substituent in the acyl group becomes more electron withdrawing is attributed to an increasing nucleofugality of SAA from T(+/-). The greater pK(a)(0) value for the reactions of SAA with 1, relative to that found in the pyridinolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (pK(a)(0) = 9.5), is explained by the greater nucleofugality from T(+/-) of the former amines, compared to isobasic pyridines, and the greater leaving ability from T(+/-) of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide relative to 4-nitrobenzenethiolate.     

Reactions of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate with hydroxylamine

For dephosphorylation of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate (BDNPP) by hydroxylamine in water, pH region 4-12, the observed first-order rate constant, k(obs), initially increases as a function of pH, but is pH-independent between pH 7.2 and pH 10. The initial BDNPP cleavage by nonionic NH(2)OH (<0.2 M) involves attack by the OH group and follows first-order kinetics, but the overall initial reaction of BDNPP liberates ca. 1.7 mol of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide ion (DNP). This initial reaction generates a short-lived O-phosphorylated hydroxylamine, 2, followed by three possible reactions: (1) reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine, generating 2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate (DNPP, 3), which subsequently forms DNP; (2) intramolecular displacement of the second DNP group and rapid decomposition of the cyclic intermediate to form phosphonohydroxylamine and eventually inorganic phosphate; (3) a novel rearrangement with intramolecular aromatic nucleophilic substitution involving a cyclic intermediate and migration of the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group from O to N. Values of k(obs) increase modestly with pH > 10, the reaction is biphasic, and the yield of DNP increases. An increase in [NH(2)OH] also increases the yield of DNP, due largely to accelerated hydrolysis of DNPP.     

Aminolysis of Y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates and benzoates: effect of modification of electrophilic center from C=O to P=O

The effect of modification of the electrophilic center from C=O to P=O on reactivity and reaction mechanism has been investigated for aminolysis of Y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates (1a-j) and benzoates (2a-i). The phosphinates 1a-j are less reactive than the benzoates 2a-i. The reactions of 2,4-dinitrophenyl diphenylphosphinate (1a) with alicyclic secondary amines resulted in a linear Br?nsted-type plot with a beta(nuc) value of 0.38, while the corresponding reactions of 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (2a) yielded a curved Br?nsted-type plot. Similarly, a linear Br?nsted-type plot with a beta(lg) value of -0.66 was obtained for the reactions of 1a-j with piperidine, while the corresponding reactions of 2a-i gave a curved Br?nsted-type plot. The linear Br?nsted-type plots for the reactions of 1a-j have been taken as evidence for a concerted mechanism, while the curved Br?nsted-type plots for the reactions of 2a-i have been suggested to indicate a change in the rate-determining step of a stepwise mechanism. The Hammett plot for the reactions of 1b-j exhibited a poor correlation with sigma(-) constants (R(2) = 0.962) but slightly better correlation with sigma(o) (R(2) = 0.986). However, the Yukawa-Tsuno plot for the same reactions resulted in an excellent correlation (R(2) = 0.9993) with an r value of 0.30. The aminolysis of 1a-j has been suggested to proceed through a concerted mechanism with an early transition state on the basis of the small beta(nuc) and small r values.     

Effect of substituent on regioselectivity and reaction mechanism in aminolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl X-substituted benzenesulfonates

[reaction: see text] We report on a kinetic study for the nucleophilic substitution reactions of 2,4-dinitrophenyl X-substituted benzensulfonates (X = 4-MeO, 1a, and X = 4-NO(2), 1c) with a series of primary amines in 80 mol % H(2)O/20 mol % DMSO at 25.0 degrees C. The reactions proceed through S-O and C-O bond fission pathways competitively. The fraction of the S-O bond fission increases as the attaching amine becomes more basic and the substituent X changes from 4-MeO to 4-NO(2), indicating that the regioselectivity is governed by the electronic nature of the substituent X as well as the basicity of amines. The S-O bond fission has been suggested to proceed through an addition intermediate with a change in the rate-determining step (RDS) at pK(a) degrees = 8.9 +/- 0.1. The electronic nature of the substituent X influences k(N)(S-O) and k(1) values, but not the k(2)/k(-1) ratios and the pK(a) degrees value significantly. Stabilization of the ground state (GS) through resonance interaction between the electron-donating substituent and the electrophilic center has been suggested to be responsible for the decreased reactivity of 1a compared to 1c. The second-order rate constants for the C-O bond fission exhibit no correlation with the electronic nature of the substituent X. The distance effect and the nature of the reaction mechanism have been suggested to be responsible for the absence of the correlation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reactions of S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-substituted thiobenzoates with secondary alicyclic amines

[reaction: see text] The title reactions, in 44 wt % ethanol-water at 25.0 degrees C, exhibit slightly curved Br?nsted-type plots (log kN versus pKa of amines) with slopes beta1 = 0.1-0.44 (at high pKa) and beta2 ca. 0.7 (at low pKa). The magnitude of some of these slopes, together with the fact that the curvature center (pKa(0) = 9.5-10.8) does not change with the electronic effects of the benzoyl substituent, suggests that these reactions are not stepwise, but concerted.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the phenolysis of asymmetric diaryl carbonates

The reactions 4-methylphenyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (MPNPC), 4-chlorophenyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (CIPNPC), 4-methylphenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonate (MPDNPC), and 4-chlorophenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonate (CIPDNPC) with a homogeneous series of phenoxide anions are subjected to a kinetic investigation in aqueous solution (25.0 degrees C, ionic strength 0.2 M (KCI)). Under an excess of phenoxide with respect to the substrate, all of these reactions obey pseudo-first-order kinetics and are first order in phenoxide. The Br?nsted-type plots for the nucleophilic rate constants (k(N)) are linear, with slopes beta = 0.48 (MPNPC), 0.67 (ClPNPC), 0.41 (MPDNPC), and 0.32 (ClPDNPC). The magnitude of these slopes and the absence of a curvature in the Br?nsted plot at pK(a) = 7.1 for the CIPNPC reactions are consistent with concerted mechanisms (one step). The carbonates MPDNPC and ClPDNPC are more reactive than MPNPC and CIPNPC, respectively, toward phenoxide nucleophiles. This can be explained by the presence of a second nitro group in the nucleofuge of the dinitro derivatives, which (i) leaves their carbonyl carbon more positively charged, making them better electrophiles, and (ii) makes 2,4-dinitrophenoxide a better leaving group than 4-nitrophenoxide. The 4-chloro derivatives are more reactive than the corresponding 4-methyl derivatives. This should be due to the greater electron withdrawal of 4-chloro than 4-methyl, which makes the former carbonyl more electrophilic. Comparison of the concerted phenolysis of MPNPC with the stepwise reactions of secondary alicyclic amines with the same substrate indicates that substitution of a secondary alicyclic amine group in a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate by a phenoxy group greatly destabilizes the intermediate. An equation is deduced for log k(N) in terms of the basicity of the nucleophile, the nonleaving moiety, and the leaving group. This equation shows that for these reactions, the sensitivity of log k(N) to the basicity of the nonleaving moiety (beta(nlg) = -0.27) is very similar to that of the nucleofuge (beta(lg) = -0.25).     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of the reaction of a range of bases and metal-hydroxo complexes with the phosphonate ester 2,4-dinitrophenyl ethyl methylphosphonate in aqueous solution

The base hydrolysis and spontaneous water hydrolysis of the phosphonate ester 2,4-dinitrophenyl ethyl methylphosphonate (DNPEMP) has been studied in detail and the activation parameters for these processes determined. The catalytic effect of a series of 19 oxygen and nitrogen bases and metal hydroxo complexes has been studied. The Brønsted plot of pK versus logkN has a slope (β) of 0.47, which is fairly typical for phosphate and phosphonate esters. alpha-Effect nucleophiles such as 2-iodosobenzoate, hypochlorite and the hydroperoxide ion (HO-2) exhibit enhanced reactivity, as does fluoride ion and the bifunctional metal complex [Cu(tmen) (OH2)(OH)]+ (tmen = N,N,N',N',-tetramethylethylenediamine). Reactions involving these species appear to take place by a nucleophilic pathway, while the other oxygen and nitrogen bases act as general base catalysts. The solvent deuterium isotope effect for Et3N catalysis, kH2O/kD2O=1.3, is consistent with general base catalysis. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed in detail.