Effect of desolvation of the reactants during change in the acidity of the medium on the electrophilic hydroxylation and nitration of alkanes

The effect of the acidity of the medium on the hydroxylation and nitration of alkanes (RH) in 90–98% H₂SO₄ at 25°C is described quantitatively by a model taking account of the thermodynamic activity of the RH, H₂O, and HSO₄^- particles. It was concluded that in the transition states the reagents H₃O₂⁺HSO₄^- and NO₂⁺ HSO₄^- are present as HO⁺ and NO₂⁺ ions without the bases H–O and HSO₄^-, the alkanes are present without hydrophobic shells, and the initial reaction products are ROH₂⁺ and RNO₂H⁺.