Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution of Groups other than Hydrogen. Part I: Ipso Factors and Rate-Limiting Steps in Dehalogenations by Diazonium Ions. 26th communication on diazo coupling reactions

The rates of substitution of the group X in 1-X-2-naphthol-6-sulfonic acids (X = H, Cl, Br, and I) by p-chlorobenzenediazonium ions in aqueous solution have been measured. The rates of the halogenated naphthols relative to that of the parent compound (X = H) are 0.0070:0.0089:0.149 for X = Cl, Br, and I respectively. The reaction of 1-bromo-2-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid is catalysed by thiosulfate ions; the relative rate observed for this compound does not, therefore, represent the ipso factor. It is postulated that in its substitution the release of the electrofugal leaving group (Br^⊕) is rate-limiting.