The spin delocalization substituent parameter σ˙. 7. Meta-substituent effects on the cyclodimerization of trifluorostyrenes. A test for the σ˙JJ approach

Rate constants (k's) of the thermal cyclodimerization of ten meta-substituted trifluorostyrenes (m-Y-TFS's) have been measured in the temperature range 110–160°C. On the basis of these k's and the σ_mb values derived from ¹⁹F NMR data the spin-delocalization substituent constant σ^˙_m values of these ten meta-substituents have been calculated. The averaged σ^˙_m values are: m-Et, 0.09; m-t-Bu, 0.11; m-F, 0.03; m-Cl,?0.05; m-Br, 0.12: m-CF₃, ?0.07; m-OMe, 0.10; m-NO₂, ?0.002; m-CN, 0.11 and m-CO₂Me, 0.08. Both the smallness of these values and the nonexistence of correlation between Hammett-Type polar σ^X and these σ^˙_m values support our belief that the σ_j?J approach is reliable and trustworthy.