A DFT study of transition structures and reactivity in solvolyses of tert‐butyl chloride,cumyl chlorides,and benzyl chlorides

DFT computations were performed on the S_N1 and S_N2 solvolyses of substituted cumyl chlorides and benzyl chlorides in ethanol and water, by increasing stepwise the C? Cl distance and by optimization. The total energy increases with the increase in the Cl? C distance in S_N1 reactions, while free energy of activation pass through maximum. To validate the results, the calculated free energies of activation were compared with data obtained by kinetic measurements. The structural parameters of the transition states were correlated with the Hammett substituent constants and compared with the data of hydrolyses of tert‐butyl chloride and methyl chloride, which proceed with known mechanisms. Conclusions on the mechanisms of the reactions were driven from the effect of substituents on free energies of activation. Cumyl chlorides substituted with electron‐donating (e‐d) groups solvolyze with S_N1 mechanism, while the reactions of substrates that bear electron‐withdrawing groups proceed with weak nucleophilic assistance of the solvent. Benzyl chlorides hydrolyze through an S_N2 pathway except those derivatives that have strongly e‐d groups, where the reaction has S_N1 character, but a weak nucleophilic assistance of the water should also be taken into consideration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.