Cob(I)alamin als Katalysator, 5. Mitteilung [1]. Enantioselektive Reduktion α,β-ungesättigter Carbonylderivate

Cob(I)alamin as Catalyst. 5. Communication [1]. Enantioselective Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Derivatives The cob(I)alamin-catalyzed reduction of an α,β-unsaturated ethyl ester in aqueous acetic acid produced the (S)-configurated saturated derivative 2 with an enantiomeric excess of 21%. The starting material 1 is not reduced at pH = 7.0 in the presence of catalytic amounts of cob(I)alamin (see Scheme 2). It is shown that the attack of cob(I)alamin and not of cob(II)alamin, also present in Zn/CH₃COOH/H₂O, accounts for the enantioselective reduction observed. All the (Z)-configurated starting materials 1 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 and 11 have been transformed to the corresponding (S)-configurated saturated derivatives 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 and 12 , respectively. The highest enantiomeric excess revealed to be present in the saturated product 12 (32,7%, S) derived from the (Z)-configurated methyl ketone 11 (see Scheme 3 and Table 1). The reduction of the (E)-configurated starting materials led mainly to racemic products. A saturated product having the (R)-configuration with a rather weak enantiomeric excess (5.9%) has been obtained starting from the (E)-configurated methyl ketone 23 (see Scheme 5 and Table 2). The allylic alcohols 16 and 24 have been reduced to the saturated racemic derivative 17 .     

Thermodynamic Studies on the Complexation Reactions of copper(II) Macrocyclic Tetramine Complexes with Monodentate Ligands: I. RAC-5, 7, 7, 12, 14, 14-Hexamethyl-l, 4, 8, 11-Tetraazacyclotetradecane-Copper(II) (Blue) with-Halide Ions

The possibility of a trigonal bipyramidal structure for [Cu(tet b)X]⁺ (blue) (where X=Cl, Br, I) is supported by the observation of two distinct d-d bands, which are assigned as and d, d_xy→d and d_xz, d_yz→d transitions respectively. The stability constants for the formation of [Cu(tet b)X]⁺ (blue) from [Cu(tet b)]^z+ (blue) and X^? were determined by spectrophotometric method at 25°, 35° and 45°C. The corresponding δH° and δS° values were obtained from the variations of the stability constants between 25° and 45°C     

Peculiar kinetics of the complex formation in the iron(III)–sulfate system

The results of comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic studies of the iron(III)–sulfate system in aqueous solutions at I = 1.0 M (NaClO₄), in the concentration ranges of T = 0.15–0.3 mM, and at pH 0.7–2.5 are presented. The iron(III)–containing species detected are FeOH²⁺ (=FeH_?1), (FeOH) (=Fe₂H_?2), FeSO, and Fe(SO₄) with formation constants of log β = ?2.84, log β = ?2.88, log β = 2.32, and log β = 3.83. The formation rate constants of the stepwise formation of the sulfate complexes are k_1a = 4.4 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm Fe}^{3+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-}\,\stackrel{k_{1a}}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm FeSO}_4^+The results of comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic studies of the iron(III)–sulfate system in aqueous solutions at I = 1.0 M (NaClO₄), in the concentration ranges of T = 0.15–0.3 mM, and at pH 0.7–2.5 are presented. The iron(III)–containing species detected are FeOH²⁺ (=FeH_?1), (FeOH) (=Fe₂H_?2), FeSO, and Fe(SO₄) with formation constants of log β = ?2.84, log β = ?2.88, log β = 2.32, and log β = 3.83. The formation rate constants of the stepwise formation of the sulfate complexes are k_1a = 4.4 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm Fe}^{3+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-}\,\stackrel{k_{1a}}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm FeSO}_4^+$ step and k₂ = 1.1 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm FeSO}_4^+ + {\rm SO}_4^{2-} \stackrel{k_2}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm Fe}({\rm SO}_4)_2^-$ step. The mono‐sulfate complex is also formed in the ${\rm Fe}({\rm OH})^{2+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-} \stackrel{k_{1b}}{\longrightarrow} {\rm FeSO}_4^+$ reaction with the k_1b = 2.7 × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1 rate constant. The most surprising result is, however, that the 2 FeSO? Fe³⁺ + Fe(SO₄) equilibrium is established well before the system as a whole reaches its equilibrium state, and the main path of the formation of Fe(SO₄) is the above fast (on the stopped flow scale) equilibrium process. The use and advantages of our recently elaborated programs for the evaluation of equilibrium and kinetic experiments are briefly outlined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 114–124, 2008     

Kinetics of the reaction of poly(α-methylstyryl sodium,potassium, and cesium) with t-butyl chloride in tetrahydrofuran

The kinetics of the reaction of “living” poly(α-methylstyrl sodium, potassium, and cesium) with t-butyl chloride have been studied spectrophotometrically in tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the temperature range 283–303 K. The reactions, when the free ions present in solution are suppressed by tetraphenylboron salt, are first order with respect to both living ends and halide concentrations. Additions of tetraphenylboron salts produce a slight retardation effect on the rate of reaction in the case of sodium, indicating only a small contribution of free ions to the overall rate; in the case of potassium, there is no apparent effect. Analysis of the data indicates that the free ion is approximately 30 times more reactive than the sodium ion pair. The Arrhenius plots for contact ion-pair termination are linear and the activation energies and preexponential factors determined are E = 38.6 kJ mole^?1, log A = 4.44 liter mole^?1 sec^?1 and E = 46.0 kJ mole^?1, log A = 5.10 liter mole^?1 sec^?1. The reaction mechanism is interpreted in terms of elimination plus some side reaction to produce two unexpected reaction products—isobutane and a 315–320-nm absorbing grouping in the polymer.     

Competitive study of the reactions Br + RFI → IBr + RF and determination of bond dissociation energies D(RF−I) where RF = CF3, C2F5, n-;C3F7, i-C3F7, and n-C4F9

The overall photobromination reactions have been studied using a competitive technique. Relative Arrhenius parameters were obtained for the rate-determining step These were placed on an absolute basis using previous-absolute values of A and E for R_FI=CF₃I. The activation energies were used to calculate bond dissociation energies D(R? I) with the following results:

The mechanism of O(3P) atom reaction with ethylene and other simple olefins

Reactions of oxygen atoms with ethylene, propene, and 2-butene were studied at room temperature under discharge flow conditions by resonance fluorescence spectroscopy of O and H atoms at pressures of 0.08 to 12 torr. The measured total rate constants of these reactions are K = (7.8 ± 0.6)·10^?13cm³s^?1,K = (4.3 ± 0.4) ± 10^?12 cm³ s^?1, K = (1.4 ± 0.4) · 10^?11 cm³ s^?1. The branching ratios of H atom elimination channels were measured for reactions of O atoms with ethylene and propene. No H-atom elimination was found for the reaction of O-atoms with 2-butene. A redistribution of reaction O + C₂ channels with pressure was found. A mechanism of the O + C₂ reaction was proposed and the possibility of its application to other olefins is discussed. On the basis of mechanism the pressure dependence of the total rate constant for reaction O + C₂ was predicted and experimentally confirmed in the pressure range 0.08–1.46 torr.     

Cob (I)alamin als Katalysator 4. Mitteilung. Reduktion von α,β-ungesättigten Nitrilen

Cob(I)alamin as Catalyst. 4. Communication. Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Nitriles Using catalytic amounts of cob (I)alamin and an excess of metallic zinc as source of electrons 1-naphthonitril ( 5 ) has been reduced to (1-naphthyl)methylamin ( 6 ) and in small amounts to (1-naphthyl)methanol ( 7 ) and (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl)methanol ( 8 ) (5 ½ h, CH₃COOH/H₂O; s. Scheme 3). Starting from cyclododecylideneacetonitrile ( 15 ) similar conditions (68 h, CH₃COOH/H₂O) produced the amines 16–19 as well as the nitrogen free saturated aldehyde 20 , the corresponding allylic alcohol 21 and the saturated derivative 22 (s. Scheme 6). It is deduced that the first attack of cob (I)alamin on an α,β-unsaturated nitrile might occur on both the nitrile dipole as well as on the carbon atom in β-position. Cob (I)alamin in aqueous acetic acid saturates the isolated double bonds in allylic alcohols and amines. In a slow reaction the two different aromatic rings of (1-naphthyl)methanol ( 7 ) have been reduced giving the corresponding tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives 8 and 12 , and in one case the production of the octahydroderivative 14 has been observed in a low yield (s. Scheme 5).     

The kinetics of the reaction F + H2 → HF + H. A critical review of literature data

Published experimental studies concerning the determination of rate constants for the reaction F + H₂ → HF + H are reviewed critically and conclusions are presented as to the most accurate results available. Based on these results, the recommended Arrhenius expression for the temperature range 190–376 K is k = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹⁰ exp |-(450 ± 50)/T| cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the recommended value for the rate constant at 298 K is k = (2.43 ± 0.15) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The recommended Arrhenius expression for the reaction F + D₂ → DF + D, for the same temperature range, based on the recommended expression for k and accurate results for the kinetic isotope effect k/k is k = (1.06 ± 0.12) × 10^×10 exp |-(635 ± 55)/T|cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the recommended value for 298 K is k = (1.25 ± 0.10) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 67–71, 1997.     

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed CH Bond Functionalizations: Feasible Access to a Diversity‐Oriented β‐Carboline Library

Diversification of the β‐carboline skeleton has been demonstrated to assemble a β‐carboline library starting from the tetrahydro‐β‐carboline framework. This strategy affords feasible access to heteroaryl‐, aryl‐, alkenyl‐, or alkynyl‐substituted β‐carbolines at the C1, C3, or C8 position through three categorically different types of transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?C bond‐forming reactions, in the presence of multiple potentially reactive positions. These site‐selective functionalizations include; 1) the Cu‐catalyzed C1/C3‐selective decarboxylative C?C and C?C_sp coupling of hexahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid with a C?H bond of a heteroarene or terminal alkyne; 2) the chelation‐assisted Pd‐catalyzed C1/C8‐selective C?H arylation of hexahydro‐β‐carboline with aryl boron reagents; and 3) the chelation‐assisted Pd‐catalyzed C1/C3‐selective oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling of β‐carboline‐N‐oxide with arenes, heteroarenes, or alkenes. The saturated structural feature of the hexahydro‐β‐carboline framework can increase reactivity and control site selectivity. The robustness of these approaches has been demonstrated through the synthesis of hyrtioerectine analogues and perlolyrine. We believe that these strategies could provide inspiration for late‐stage diversifications of bioactive core scaffolds.     

Cob(I)alamin Differentiating Alkenes During Saturation

The olefins 2, 7, 11 , and 19 , have been reduced using catalytic amounts of cob(I)alamin( I(I) ). During a slow saturation, the catalyst is able to differentiate the two diastereotopic faces of the endocyclic double bonds in 11 (t_1/2 4 h,. cf. Scheme 3) are reduced much faster. A rationalization of the data can be obtained formulating tertiary alkylcobalamins as intermediates. Of the oxime 6 (cf. Scheme 2) and the p- bromobenzoate 23 (cf. Scheme 5) the structures have been determined by X-ray analysis.     

Einkernige und zweikernige Kupfer(I)‐Komplexe vom Typ LCuCl,LCu2Cl2 und LCu2ClX [L = P(C6H4CH2NMe2)3; X = Br,I]

The title compounds 3‐5 are accessible by treatment of P(C₆H₄CH₂NMe2)₃( 1 ) with CuX ( 2a : X = Cl, 2b : X = Br, 2c : X = I) in the ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 in very good yields. Reaction of 1 with equimolar amounts of 2a affords the copper(I) chloride [P(C₆H₄CH₂NMe2)₃]CuCl ( 3 ). With a further equivalent of 2a homobimetallic [P(C₆H₄CH₂NMe2)₃]Cu₂Cl₂ ( 4 ) is formed, which also can be synthesized by the reaction of 1 with two equivalents of 2a. Complex 3 reacts with CuX (X = Br, I)to afford [P(C₆H₄CH₂NMe2)₃]Cu₂ClX ( 5a : X = Br; 5b : X = I) in which mixed halides are present. The newly synthesized complexes 3‐5 were characterized by elemental analyses, by their IR‐, ¹H‐, ¹³C{¹H}‐ and ³¹P{¹H}‐NMR spectra as well as by mass spectrometrical studies. The solid‐state structures of complexes 3 and 4 are reported. Mononuclear 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with the cell parameters a = 14.285(2), b = 10.853(2), c = 17.425(2) Å , β = 103.310(10)?, V = 2628.9(7) Å ³ and Z = 4 with 4053 observed unique reflections; R₁ = 0.0314. The crystal structure of 3 consists of monomeric molecules with planar coordinated copper(I) centres (CuClNP). Homobimetallic 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 23.905(4), b = 10.874(3), c = 25.314(5), β = 99.130(10)?, V = 6497(2) /Aring; ³ and Z = 4 with 9021 observed unique reflections; R₁ = 0.0480. In 4 one of two copper(I) centres possesses a distorted trigonal‐pyramidal environment, while the other one is almost square‐pyramidal coordinated. The Cu₂Cl₂ segment resembles to a building block which is set up by a contact ion pair consisting of Cu⁺ and [CuCl₂]^‐ , respectively.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of some carboxylates by a nickel (III) oxime-imine complex

The kinetics of the oxidation of formate, oxalate, and malonate by |Ni^III(L¹)|²⁺ (where HL¹ = 15-amino-3-methyl-4,7,10,13-tetraazapentadec-3-en-2-one oxime) were carried out over the regions pH 3.0–5.75, 2.80–5.50, and 2.50–7.58, respectively, at constant ionic strength and temperature 40°C. All the reactions are overall second-order with first-order on both the oxidant and reductant. A general rate law is given as - d/dt|Ni^III(L¹)²⁺| = k_obs|Ni^III(L¹)²⁺| = (k_d + nk_s |R|)|Ni^III(L¹)²⁺|, where k_d is the auto-decomposition rate constant of the complex, k_s is the electron transfer rate constant, n is the stoichiometric factor, and R is either formate, oxalate, or malonate. The reactivity of all the reacting species of the reductants in solution were evaluated choosing suitable pH regions. The reactivity orders are: k_HCOOH > k; k > k > k, and k > k < k for the oxidation of formate, oxalate, and malonate, respectively, and these trends were explained considering the effect of hydrogen bonded adduct formation and thermodynamic potential. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 225–230, 1997.     

Synthesis,properties, and gas permeability of novel poly(diarylacetylene) derivatives

Poly(diphenylacetylene)s having various silyl groups are soluble in common solvents, from whose membranes poly(diphenylacetylene) membranes can be obtained by desilylation. The oxygen permeability coefficients of the desilylated polymers are quite different from one another (120–3300 barrers) irrespective of the same polymer structure. When bulkier silyl groups are removed, the oxygen permeability increases to larger extents. Poly[1-aryl-2-p-(trimethylsilyl)phenylacetylene]s are soluble in common solvents, and afford free-standing membranes. These Si-containing polymer membranes are desilylated to give the membranes of poly[1-aryl-2-phenylacetylene]s. Both of the starting and desilylated polymers show very high thermal stability and high gas permeability. 1-Phenyl-2-p-(t-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenylacetylene polymerizes into a high-molecular-weight polymer. This polymer is soluble in common organic solvents to provide a free-standing membrane. Desilylation of this membrane yields a poly(diphenylacetylene) having free hydroxyl groups, which is the first example of a highly polar group-carrying poly(diphenylacetylene). The P/P and P/P permselectivity ratios of poly(1-phenyl-2-p-hydroxylphenylacetylene) membrane are as large as 47.8 and 45.8, respectively, while keeping relatively high P of 110 barrers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5028–5038, 2006     

Aspects of the Reduction of Double Bonds Using Cob (I)alamin as Catalys

The olefinic system in 3β-methoxy-4-cholesten-6 a-ol ( 2 ) is reduced using cob (I)alamin ( 1 ( I ); see Scheme 1) as catalyst, aqueous acetic acid as solvent and metallic zinc as electron source (cf. Schemes 2 and 3). Experimental evidence for an attack of 1 ( I ) on both faces of the double bond is presented. By the same catalyst (1 R)-10, 10-dimethyl-2-pinene- 10-carbonitrile ( 9 ) is first transformed to the menthene derivative 11 (see Schemes 4 and 5). The ring opening is then followed by a fast saturation of the disubstituted olefinic system in 11 , and ultimately the remaining double bond is reduced in a slow reaction. The cis-configurated saturated menthane derivative 16 is the main final product ( 16 / 17 ≈ 10:1).     

Amines α et β acétyléniques. Couplages J(15N?H), J(15N?13C) et hybridation de l'azote

¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of ¹⁵N-methylaniline, ¹⁵N-methylphenylpropargylamine and ¹⁵N-methylphenylpropynylamine have been studied. The s character of nitrogen, deduced from ¹J(¹⁵N? ¹³C) and ¹J(¹⁵N? ¹³C), indicates that nitrogen hybridisation is intermediate between sp³ and sp² in ¹⁵N-methylaniline and ¹⁵N-methylphenylpropargylamine, while nitrogen is sp² in the α-acetylenic amine. The ¹J(¹⁵N? ¹³C_sp)cou pling constant calculated with the help of Binsch's relation does not agree with the experimental value, suggesting that orbital and dipolar mechanisms make substantial contributions to this coupling constant.     

Copolymerization of 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne with disubstituted hydrocarbon acetylenes

Copolymerization of 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne (MeC ≡ CSiMe₃) with several aromatic and aliphatic disubstituted acetylenes (MeC ≡ CPh, n-BuC ≡ CPh, 2-octyne, and 4-octyne) were examined by using Ta and Nb catalysts. The TaCl₅–Ph₃Bi catalyst was effective in copolymerization with the aromatic acetylenes, whereas the NbCl₅–Ph₃Bi catalyst was preferable in copolymerization with the aliphatic acetylenes. The copolymerization products were not mixtures of homopolymers but copolymers. The relative reactivity of monomer tended to decrease with increasing steric effect of monomer: 2-octyne > MeC ≡ CSiMe₃ > 4-octyne > MeC ≡ CPh > n-BuC ≡ CPh. The copolymers of MeC ≡ CSiMe₃ with MeC ≡ CPh [copoly(TMSP/PP)s] had high molecular weight (M _w > 1 × 10⁶), and provided thermally stable tough films. With increasing MeC ≡ CPh content of copoly(TMSP/PP), the oxygen permeability coefficient (P) decreased, while the separation factor (P/P) increased.     

Effect of olefins on the thermal decomposition of propane part I. The model reaction

Study of the thermal decomposition of propane at very low conversions in the temperature range 760–830 K led to refinement of the mechanism of the reaction. The quotient V/V characterizing the two decomposition routes connected with the 1- and 2-propyl radicals proved to depend linearly on the initial propane concentration. This suggested the occurrence of intermolecular radical isomerization: in competition with decomposition of the 2-propyl radical: The linearity led to the conclusion that the selectivity of H-abstraction from the methyl and methylene groups by the methyl radical is practically the same as that by the H atom. The temperature-dependence of this selectivity ( μ = kCH₃/kCH₂) was given by Further evaluation of the dependence gave the Arrhenius representation for the ratio of the rate coefficients of the above isomerization and decomposition reactions. Steady-state treatment resulted in the rate equation of the process, comparison of which with measurements gave further Arrhenius dependences.     

The effect of water content on the ultimate properties of rubbery nanocomposite gels

An investigation was conducted into the effects of water content (R) on the ultimate tensile properties of nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/clay networks. Rubbery NC gels with low clay contents (<NC10) exhibited unique changes in their stress–strain curves, depending on the R. At high R, where PNIPA chains are fully hydrated, NC gels retained their rubbery tensile properties, whereas they changed to exhibit plastic‐like deformations with decreasing R. Consequently, for a series of NC gels with different R, a failure envelope was obtained by connecting the rupture points in the stress–strain curves. Here, the counterclockwise movement was observed as either the R decreased or the strain rate increased. This seemed to be analogous to that of a conventional elastomer (e.g., SBR), although the mechanisms are different in the two cases. From the R and C_clay dependences of the ultimate properties, three critical values of R were defined, where R showed a maximum strain at break, a steep increase in initial modulus, and onset of brittle fracture. Compared with NC gels, OR gels (chemically crosslinked hydrogels) showed similar but very small changes in their stress–strain curves on altering R, whereas LR (viscous PNIPA solution) showed a monotonic decrease (increase) in ε_b (E_i) with decreasing R. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2328–2340, 2009     

The photochemistry of sulfur dioxide excited within its first allowed band (3130 Å) and the “forbidden” band (3700–;4000 Å)

The quantum yields of SO₃ formation have been determined in pure SO₂ and in SO₂ mixtures with NO, CO₂, and O₂ using both flow and static systems. In separate series of experiments excitation of SO₂ was effected within the forbidden band, SO₂(³B₁) ← \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$$ {\rm SO}_2 (\tilde X,^1 A_1 ) $$\end{document}, and within the first allowed singlet band at 3130 Å. The values of Φ were found to be sensitive to the flow rate of the reactants. These results and the apparently divergent quantum yield results of Cox [10], Allen and coworkers [24, 26, 29], and Okuda and coworkers [11] were rationalized quantitatively in terms of the significant occurrence of the reactions SO + SO₃ → 2SO₂ (2), and 2SO → SO₂ + S [or (SO)₂] (3), in experiments of long residence time. From the present rate data, values of the rate constants were estimated, k₂=(1.2±0.7) × 10⁶; k₃=(5±4) × 10⁵ l˙/mole · sec. Φ values from triplet excitation experiments at high flow rates of NO? SO₂ and CO₂? SO₂ mixtures showed the sole reactant with SO₂ leading to SO₃ formation in this system to be SO₂(³B₁); SO₂(³B₁) + SO₂ → SO₃ + SO(³Σ^?) (la); k=(4.2±0.4) × 10⁷ l./mole · sec. With excitation of SO₂ at 3130 Å both singlet and triplet excited states play a role in SO₃ formation. If the reactive singlet state is ¹B₁, the long-lived fluorescent state, SO₂(¹B₁) + SO₂ → SO₃ + SO (¹ Δ or ³Σ^?) (lb), then k=(2.2±0.5) × 10⁹ l./mole · sec. From the observed inhibition of SO formation by added nitric oxide, it was found that the SO₃-forming triplet state, generated in this singlet excited SO₂ system, had a relative reactivity toward SO₂ and NO which was equal within the experimental error to that observed here for the SO₂(³B₁) species. Either SO₂(³B₁) molecules were created with an unexpectedly high efficiency in 3130 Å excited SO₂(¹B₁) quenching collisions, or another reactive triplet (presumably ³A₂ or ³B₂) of almost identical reactivity to SO₂(³B₁) was important here.     

Recommendations for measuring second-order rate constants and kinetic solvent isotope effects on acid-catalyzed reactions

Kinetic solvent isotope effects (KSIE) were measured for the hydrolyses of acetals of benzaldehydes in aqueous solutions covering the pH (pD) range of 1–6. For p-methoxybenzaldehyde diethyl acetal, k/k = 1.8–3.1, depending on the procedure used to calculate the KSIE and on the pH (pD) range used as the basis for k(k). It is shown that this variation is an experimental artifact, and is a characteristic of KSIE measurements in general. It is recommended that k be calculated from a least-squares fit of data to the equation k_obs = k[L⁺], and that the KSIE be reported as k/k. The limitation remains, however, that the KSIE measured for a variety of substances over quite different pH (pD) ranges may not be comparable to more than ?20%. The source of these observations is discussed in terms of small changes in the activity coefficient ratios (a specific salt effect), including the solvent isotope effect on the activity coefficient ratio [eq. (3)].