Correlations of the Specific Rates of Solvolysis of Aromatic Carbamoyl Chlorides, Chloroformates, Chlorothionoformates, and Chlorodithioformates Revisited

Abstract

Additional specific rates of solvolysis are determined for phenyl chloroformate. These values are combined with literature values to give a total of 49 data points, which are used within simple and extended Grunwald-Winstein treatments. Literature values are also brought together to allow treatments in more solvents than previously for three N-aryl-N-methylcarbamoyl chlorides, phenyl chlorothionoformate, phenyl chlorodithioformate, and N,N-diphenylcarbamoyl chloride. For the last two listed, moderately strong evidence for a meaningful inclusion of a term governed by the aromatic ring parameter (I) was indicated. No evidence was found requiring inclusion of this parameter for ionization reactions with only one aromatic ring on the nitrogen of carbamoyl chlorides or for the solvolyses of the chloroformate or chlorothionoformate proceeding by an addition-elimination (association-dissociation) mechanism.

1. Introduction

The Grunwald-Winstein equation (equation 1) was developed [1] in 1948 for the correlation of

$$\ell \text{og\hspace{0.17em}}\underset{\_}{\text{k}}/{\underset{\_}{\text{k}}}_0=\underset{\_}{\text{mY}}+\underset{\_}{\text{c}}$$

(1)

specific rates of solvolysis of reactions which proceed via a rate-determining ionization (S_N1 + E1). The original standard substrate, tert-butyl chloride, has been replaced by 1-adamantyl chloride [2] and either 1- or 2- adamantyl derivatives have been used to set up a series of Y_X scales for the X leaving group [3]. Since, with both substrates, a double bond would develop at the bridgehead, which is energetically disfavored (Bredt’s Rule), only substitution reaction is observed. In equation 1, k and k_o represent the specific rates of solvolysis in the solvent under consideration and in an arbitrarily chosen [1] standard solvent (80% ethanol), m represents the sensitivity to changes in the solvent ionizing power value (Y), and c is a constant (residual) term.

It was realized that equation 1 could not be expected to apply to solvolyses where the solvent also participates in the rate-determining step of a bimolecular process (S_N2 + E2) and it was proposed [4] that an additional term governed by the sensitivity (ℓ) to changes in solvent nucleophilicity (N) [5, 6] should be added (equation 2).

$$\ell \text{og\hspace{0.17em}}\underset{\_}{\text{k}}/{\underset{\_}{\text{k}}}_0=\underset{\_}{\ell \text{N}}+\underset{\_}{\text{mY}}+\underset{\_}{\text{c}}$$

(2)

Since for the commonly used solvents, such as aqueous ethanol, methanol, or acetone, the N values tend to the increase in a fairly uniform manner as the Y values decreases [7], multicollinearity can be a major problem if solvents are restricted to these classes. Fortunately, commercially available fluoroalcohols [2,2,2–trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP)] in varying proportions with water show very different relationships between N and Y values [8, 9] decrease. These fluoroalcohol-containing solvents play an important role in studies designed to allow a meaningful application of equation 2.

For reactions in which an aromatic ring is attached to the site of developing charge, dispersion in simple (equation 1) plots is often observed independent of any dispersion that might arise due to nucleophilic solvation effects [10–13]. This can be treated by the development of similarity models, using similarly constituted standard substrates to develop new ionizing power scales [14, 15]. This is, however, very labor intensive and a new scale must be developed based not only on each leaving group but also on the number of aromatic rings entering into conjugation with the developing positive charge [16]. We have favored an alternative approach [10–13] in which one can continue to use an established Y_X scale [3], accompanied by the introduction of a term governed by the sensitivity (h) to solvent-induced changes in an aromatic-ring parameter (I), as shown in equation 3. The I parameter is independent of the leaving group and, indeed, it can be applied to solvolyses involving both anionic [11–13] and neutral [17] leaving groups. It can also be applied to solvolyses in which an aryl group

$$\ell \text{og\hspace{0.17em}}\underset{\_}{\text{k}}/{\underset{\_}{\text{k}}}_0=\underset{\_}{\ell \text{N}}+\underset{\_}{\text{mY}}+\underset{\_}{\text{hI}}+\underset{\_}{\text{c}}$$

(3)

migrates from the β - to the α -carbon (1,2-aryl shift) [18]. In many application of the hI term, the nucleophilic solution contribution is negligible (ℓ ≈ 0) and equation 4 can be applied [18].

$$\ell \text{og\hspace{0.17em}}\underset{\_}{\text{k}}/{\underset{\_}{\text{k}}}_0=\underset{\_}{\text{mY}}+\underset{\_}{\text{hI}}$$

(4)

We have carried out studies to examine the extent to which the Y and N scales developed for solvolytic substitution (sometimes accompanied by elimination) reaction to an sp³ hybridized carbon can be applied to substitution at an acyl (sp²-hybridized) carbon as in acyl halides [19, 20], haloformate esters [21–26], and carbamoyl chlorides [27–29], and to displacement of chloride ion from sulfur or phosphorus during solvolyses of organosulfur [8] and organophosphorus [30, 31] substrates.

Our application of equation 2 to solvolyses at sp²-carbon has been followed by related studies in other laboratories. Usually these studies have included an extension to additional solvents. A reassessment of these solvolyses in all the solvents now available allows for a more thorough correlation analysis and the possibility of probing as to how robust the analyses are in terms of whether the initially reported sensitivities (ℓ and m) change appreciably on the incorporation of new data points. In one instance, new substrates, closely related to the earlier one, have been studied, allowing one to see the effect on the ℓ and m values of the structural variation.

In our earlier studies, we assumed that there was no appreciable transfer of charge to aryl groups present on the nitrogen of carbamoyl chlorides or within the aryloxy group of chloroformate esters. Accordingly, we did not consider it necessary to include the hI term and the correlations were only in terms of equations 1 and 2. This belief was based upon the absence of canonical resonance structures which could transfer developing positive charge to the aromatic ring. In his study of the solvolyses of N,N-diphenylcarbamoyl chloride, Liu [32] has claimed that the use of equation 2 with a similarity model based Y scale (Y_BnCl) [15] suggests a non-canonical resonance, which can lead to the transfer of a large amount of the developing positive charge to the phenyl rings. Further, he claims that this transfer is supported by quantum calculations.

If such a non-canonical transfer is possible with an intervening nitrogen, presumably it will also be possible with an intervening oxygen or sulfur. Accordingly, we have decided to reinvestigate and extend the correlations of the solvolyses of arylmethylcarbamoyl chlorides (ArMeNCOCl, 1), diphenylcarbamoyl chloride (Ph₂NCOCl, 2), phenyl chloroformates (PhOCOCl, 3), phenyl chlorothionoformate (PhOCSCl, 4) and phenyl chlorodithioformate (PhSCSCl, 5) using all of the data presently available.

We have used the N_T values, based on solvolyses of the S-methyldibenzothiophenium ion [6, 33] as the solvent nucleophilicity scale, in conjunction with Y_Cl values based on the solvolyses of 1-adamantyl chloride [2, 3, 34], and I value based on the specific rates of solvolysis of the p-methoxybenzyldimethylsulfonuim ion relative to those of the 1-adamantyldimethylsulfonium ion [10, 35].

2. Results and Discussion

2.1 Solvolyses of N-Aryl-N-Methylcarbamoyl Chlorides

We have previously studied [29] the solvolyses of the parent N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl chloride in 19 solvents at 62.5°C. The analysis in terms of equations 2 and 3 were presented and these, together with the correlation in terms of equation 1, are reported within

Table 1. Correlationsa of the specific rates of solvolyses of three N-methyl-N-arylcarbamoyl chlorides and N,N-diphenylcarbamoyl chloride using the original and extended forms of the Grunwald-Winstein equation.

Substrate	T°C	nb	ℓc	mc	hc	cc	Rd	Fe
MePhNCOClf	25.0	32		0.55±0.03		−0.10±0.08	0.965	408
				0.51±0.03	−0.62±0.20 (0.004)g	−0.08±0.07	0.974	269
			0.44±0.04	0.68±0.02		0.01±0.03	0.994	1290
			0.50±0.05	0.71±0.02	0.23±0.12 (0.068)g	0.02±0.03	0.995	939
Me(4-ClC6H4)NCOClf	25.0	32		0.53±0.04		0.02±0.10	0.936	213
				0.46±0.04	−0.73±0.19	0.13±0.09	0.958	163
			0.44±0.06	0.66±0.03		0.13±0.06	0.980	347
			0.47±0.09	0.68±0.05	0.11±0.20 (0.591)g	0.13±0.06	0.980	226
Me(4-NO2C6H4) NCOClf	25.0	20		0.55±0.09		−1.86±0.28	0.831	40
				0.39±0.07	−1.56±0.32	−1.71±0.19	0.934	58
			0.58±0.06	0.69±0.04		−1.68±0.12	0.974	154
			0.51±0.10	0.64±0.07	−0.29±0.33 (0.395)g	−1.68±0.12	0.975	102
Ph2NCOClh	62.5	33		0.48±0.03		0.00±0.09	0.942	249
				0.47±0.03	−0.33±0.15 (0.034)g	0.04±0.09	0.951	140
			0.23±0.04	0.58±0.03		0.08±0.07	0.969	234
			0.40±0.07	0.67±0.04	0.55±0.19 (0.007)g	0.07±0.06	0.976	197
MePhNCOCli	62.5	19		0.30±0.04		−0.16±0.07	0.869	52
				0.31±0.04	−0.31±0.25 (0.216)g	−0.10±0.08	0.882	28
			0.40±0.08	0.51±0.05		0.01±0.06	0.948	70
			0.43±0.10	0.53±0.06	0.13±0.20 (0.514)g	0.00±0.06	0.949	45

^aThe equation used can be deduced from the sensitivity parameters quoted; for each substrate, the entries involve a sequence of equations: 1, 4, 2, 3.

^bNumber of data points.

^cWith associated standard error [large values for third substrate because only log k plotted (no k_o value available)].

^dCorrelation coefficient.

^eF-test value.

^fSpecific rates from ref. 36.

^gProbability that the hI term is not statistically significant, presented when greater than 0.001.

^hSpecific rates from ref. 27.

ⁱSpecific rates from ref. 29.

. More recently, a study has been made, at 25.0°C, not only of the parent compound but also of the p-chloro- and p-nitro-derivatives [36]. The value reported for the parent in 80% ethanol of 3.27 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ was in good agreement with a value of 3.37(± 0.14) × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ obtained earlier [29]. Up to three TFE-water solvents were utilized, with the solvents prepared on a volume-volume basis. We have converted the TFE-H₂O solvents to weight-weight compositions and then obtained the required N_T, Y_Cl, and I values by interpolation within plots of the literature values, which are tabulated for a series of weight-weight compositions.

For the parent compound, the previous study [29] in 19 solvents included eight TFE-containing solvents, as opposed to only three out of 32 in the more recent study. An excellent correlation of these data [36] is obtained using equation 2, with a correlation coefficient of 0.994. This value increased only to 0.995 when equation 3 was employed with a drop in the F-test value from 1290 to 939. The h value of 0.23 ± 0.12 led to a probability that the hI term was statistically insignificant of 0.068, lower than the earlier value of 0.514 (associated with an h value of 0.12 ± 0.20) but again giving very little support for the inclusion of an hI term within these solvolyses. In the original study [36], although data for 32 solvents were available only 16 were included in the correlation and values of 0.53 for ℓ, 0.60 for m, and 0.36 for h were reported, with an equation 3 multiple correlation coefficient of 0.999. Unfortunately, no further indications of the goodness-of-fit were reported and equation 2 was not tested for any of the three substrates to see as to whether it represented an adequate correlation equation for the solvolyses.

The solvolyses of the p-chloroderivative includes, in addition to the three TFE-water mixtures, two TFE-ethanol mixtures, which were not, however, included in the equation 3 correlation. Indeed, the correlation which was presented with the use of equation 3 included only 15 of the 32 measured specific rates. Values were obtained of 0.50 for ℓ, 0.58 for m, and 0.44 for h, with the rather high h value suggesting the possibility of a meaningful contribution from the hI term. In Table 1 is presented our present correlation, using all 32 solvents [37]. The ℓ and m values are only modestly changed from the earlier values, as obtained with use of equation 3, but the h values falls to 0.11 ± 0.20 (probability that the hI term is insignificant of 0.59). Also the correlation coefficient, as expressed to three significant figures, is unchanged on going from equation 2 to equation 3.

The solvolyses of the p-nitroderivative were studied in 20 solvents but only one of these (97% TFE, v/v) included a fluoroalcohol component. An analysis in terms of equation 3 was not presented but when carried out it yields reasonable ℓ and m values, but a negative h value of −0.29 ± 0.33. The negative value is probably an artifact caused by the shortage of fluoroalcohol containing solvents.

The analyses of the specific rates of solvolyses for these three substrates show modest ℓ and m values, believed to represent nucleophilic solvation to an ionic process, with the unusually low m value for such a process resulting from internal nucleophilic assistance from the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen. This leads to a transition state that is earlier than what would be expected for an unassisted or only weakly assisted process. The magnitude of the h values when equation 3 is applied does not support the claim [36] for a need to include the hI term in the correlations. The insignificance of the hI term in the solvolyses of the parent compound was previously demonstrated [29]. With the inclusion of all of the new data points [36] in the presently reported correlations and with the accompanying consideration of two derivatives giving very similar correlations, the earlier conclusion [29] is considerably strengthened.

2.2 Solvolyses of N, N-Diphenylcarbamoyl Chloride

In a thorough study of the kinetics of these reactions [27], correlation analyses were carried out for 36 solvents at 62.5°C. The reactions are shown in Scheme 2. Using equation 2, values for ℓ of 0.23 and for m of 0.58 were obtained.

The ℓ value was lower than for the solvolyses of the N-aryl-N-methylcarbamoyl chlorides [29]. In the present correlations, we also include a treatment using equation 3. This allows a consideration of whether treatments using the Grunwald-Winstein equation approach can give evidence supporting the claim on an extensive transfer of charge to the phenyl rings [32]. Since I values are not available for the three aqueous-acetonitrile solvents used in the study, the present correlations (Table 1) are with the use of 33 solvents. Using equation 2, the ℓ and m values were unchanged from those obtained with the full 36 solvents. With use of equation 3, the h value of 0.55 ± 0.19 was associated with the probability that the hI was statistically insignificant of only 0.007 (Figure 1). Further, on incorporation of the hI term, the ℓ and m values of 0.40 and 0.67, respectively, became comparable with those observed for the solvolyses of N-aryl-N-methylcarbamoyl chloride substrates (Table 1). Consistent with the claims by Liu [32], it does appear that there is moderately convincing evidence for the need to incorporate the hI term. Just as in the comparison of the formation of benzyl and benzyhydryl (diphenylmethyl) cations [13, 17], it does appear that, with carbamoyl cation formation, two aromatic rings lead to a larger h value then when only one aromatic ring is present, such that, if the values are rather low, it can lead to it becoming appreciably larger than the associated standard error.

2.3 Solvolyses of Phenyl and p-Methoxyphenyl Chloroformates

For phenyl chloroformate solvolysis (Scheme 3), the correlation in terms of equation 2 represented our first attempt to apply the equation to a situation involving solvolytic attack other than at an sp³-hybridized carbon atom [21].

Despite a claim that the methanolysis of phenyl chloroformate involves a concerted displacement mechanism [38], there is considerable evidence that these solvolyses are with the addition step of an addition-elimination sequence being rate-determining [21, 39]. The ℓ and m values of 1.68 and 0.57 observed for the phenyl chloroformate were considered to be important values, which could be used as standards for this type of solvolytic process. The initial correlation involved 21 solvents.

We have determined eight additional specific rates (

Table 2. Specific rates of solvolysis (k) for the solvolysis of phenyl chloroformate in several binary solvents at 25.0°C and the solvent nucleophilicity (N_T), solvent ionizing power (Y_Cl), and aromatic ring parameter (I) values for the solvents.

Solvent (%)a	104k(s−1)b	NTc	YCld	Ie
90% Acetone (v/v)	2.38±0.14	−0.35	−2.22	−0.17
80% TFE (w/w)	0.702±0.028	−2.22	2.90	0.28
70% TFE (w/w)	1.74±0.13	−1.98	2.96	0.25
50% TFE (w/w)	6.35±0.30	−1.73	3.16	0.09
60T-40E(v/v)	1.99±0.05f	−0.94	0.63	0.59
50T-50E (v/v)	4.21±0.17	−0.64	0.16	0.51
40T-60E (v/v)	5.77±0.19	−0.34	−0.48	0.43
20T-80E(v/v)	16.9±0.9	0.08	−1.42	0.31
97%HFIP (w/w)	1.48(±0.20)x10−4	−5.26	5.17	0.73

^aVolume-volume (v/v) basis at 25.0°C or weight-weight (w/w) basis, as described; other component water, except for TFE-ethanol (T-E) solvents.

^bwith associated standard deviation.

^cFrom ref. 33.

^dFrom refs. 3 and 34.

^eFrom ref. 10.

^fPrevious value [21] of 1.75 ± 0.05.

) and the study by Koo, Lee and coworkers [39] allows 20 specific rate determinations in additional solvents to be included. The full 49 determinations, at 25.0°C, now available are used in the correlations using equations 1, 2, and 3 (

Table 3. Correlationa of the rates of solvolysis of phenyl chloroformate, its p-methoxy derivative, and the thiono and dithio derivatives, at 25.0°C, using the original and extended forms of the Grunwald-Winstein equation.

Substrate	nb	ℓc	mc	hc	cc	Rd	Fe
PhOCOClf	49g		−0.07±0.11		−0.46±0.31	0.093	0.4
		1.66±0.05	0.56±0.03		0.15±0.07	0.980	568
		1.77±0.08	0.61±0.04	0.35±0.19 (0.068)h	0.16±0.06	0.982	400
	21i	1.68±0.10	0.57±0.06		0.12±0.13	0.973	159
4-MeO C6H4OCOClj	31g		0.06±0.07		−0.02±0.21	0.153	0.7
		1.46±0.08	0.53±0.03		0.18±0.06	0.964	182
		1.75±0.07	0.66±0.03	0.85±0.15	0.22±0.04	0.984	274
PhOCSClk	40g		0.16±0.06		−0.23±0.18	0.393	6.9
		0.49±0.10	0.37±0.06		−0.12±0.14	0.706	18
		0.69±0.16	0.48±0.09	0.65±0.43 (0.135)h	−0.10±0.14	0.727	13
	9ℓ		−0.25±0.23		−0.34±0.29	0.376	1.2
		1.88±0.28	0.56±0.15		0.38±0.15	0.950	28
	18m		0.90±0.18		−3.14±0.68	0.784	26
		0.34±0.05	0.93±0.09		−2.54±0.34	0.955	77
		0.50±0.12	1.01±0.10	0.51±0.36 (0.181)h	−2.53±0.34	0.961	56
	12n		0.93±0.15		−3.50±0.56	0.898	41
		0.26±0.04	0.94±0.07		−2.88±0.29	0.980	107
PhSCSClo	31g		0.66±0.06		−0.05±0.12	0.896	118
		0.69±0.05	0.95±0.03		0.18±0.05	0.987	521
		0.80±0.06	1.02±0.04	0.42±0.15 (0.009)h	0.16±0.04	0.990	485

^aThe equation used can be deduced from the sensitivity parameters quoted.

^bNumber of data points.

^cWith associated standard error.

^dCorrelation coefficient.

^eF-test value.

^fSpecific rates from Table 2 and refs. 21 and 39.

^gAll available.

^hProbability that the hI term is not statistically significant, presented when greater than 0.001.

ⁱValues from ref. 21, using all of the data there available.

^jData from refs. 21 and 39.

^kData from refs. 42 and 43.

^lUsing data in 100-80% ethanol, 100-80% methanol, 80% acetone, 80T-20E, and 60T-40E.

^mUsing data in water, 30-10% ethanol, 30-10% methanol, 30-10% acetone, and all TFE-water and HFIP-water mixtures.

ⁿUsing water, 10% ethanol, 10% methanol, 10% acetone, and all TFE-water and HFIP-water mixtures. (insufficient data to justify correlation with addition of the hI term).

^oData from refs. 42 and 46.

). With use of equation 2, values for ℓ and m of 1.66 and 0.56, respectively, are in excellent agreement with those obtained earlier [21] with only 21 determinations. This indicates that the correlation is robust. The earlier [21] multiple correlation coefficient of 0.973 improves to 0.980 with the 49 data points. On incorporation of the hI term (equation 3), the correlation coefficient increases only from 0.980 to 0.982 and the h values of 0.35 ± 0.19 is associated with a probability that the term is statistically insignificant of 0.068. The very robust correlation (Figure 2) using equation 2 suggests that this is the best equation to use in the correlation, and the use of this correlation as a standard for rate-determining nucleophilic addition [21] is given strong support.

The study by Koo, Lee and coworkers was only in a wide range of mixtures of water with methanol, ethanol, and acetone and the analyses carried out were in terms of third-order rate coefficients, consistent with general-base catalysis to the substitution process. The present application of equations 2 and 3 was meaningful only because of the availability of fluoroalcohol-containing solvents. The important additional data was from Table 2 and the earlier publication [21].

The data used in the analysis presented in Table 3 for solvolyses of p-methoxyphenyl chloroformate are primarily from the Korean work [39], with 29 determinations in aqueous methanol, ethanol, and acetone combined with just two values available [21] for fluoroalcohol-containing solvents; (90 and 50% HFIP). This is not a very satisfactory mix of solvents and values from the correlations (Table 3) must be treated with caution. The equation 2 values of 1.46 for ℓ and 0.53 for m rose to 1.75 and 0.66, respectively, when equation 3 is applied, with an h value of 0.85 ± 0.15. While this would seem to indicate that the hI term is significant, we believe that further data points for solvolyses in the fluoroalcohol-containing solvents are needed, for incorporation into the correlation, before the significance, or otherwise, of the hI term can be considered as established.

2.4 Solvolyses of Phenyl Chlorothionoformate and Chlorodithioformate

Queen studied the hydrolysis of phenyl chlorothionoformate and, from a comparison with the rate for the methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl esters, he concluded that an S_N1 pathway was followed [40]. In contrast, in 65% acetone Csunderlick et al [41] found evidence for a bimolecular mechanism for the solvolyses. A previous treatment in terms of the Grunwald-Winstein equation [42] confirmed that two mechanisms are indeed involved and in aqueous TFE or aqueous HFIP an ionization pathway dominates (ℓ = 0.43; m = 1.19). In ethanol or methanol or in mixtures of ethanol, methanol or acetone with water, containing at least 60% of the organic component, a bimolecular pathway is followed (ℓ = 1.53; m = 0.36).

We are revisiting these solvolyses (Scheme 4) because of a more recent report [43] which assumes a unit mechanism over the full range of water-ethanol, water-methanol, and water-acetone compositions, including the determination in pure water. Also the mechanism was believed to be a concerted S_N2 process. Most surprising was the belief that a large contribution from the hI term was involved. Although specific rate data for 29 solvent systems were reported, only 13 were included in analyses against Y_Cl plus I and in analysis in terms of equation 3. These two analyses led to very high h values of 2.93 and 2.64, respectively. In the absence of data for fluoroalcohol-containing solvents, multi-collinearity between the three scales will be a major problem, especially with only a limited number of data points.

There are, in total, data points available [42, 43] for 40 solvent compositions, including ten containing fluoroalcohol. Using equation 3 for all 40 data points, the correlation using equation 3 is poor, with a correlation coefficient of only 0.727 and an ℓ value of 0.69, m value of 0.48, and h value of 0.65 ± 0.43, with a 0.135 probability that the hI term is statistically insignificant (Table 3). In view of the evidence from our laboratory [42] and other laboratories [40, 41] for a duality of mechanism, the poor correlation is not surprising. For the nine solvents least favoring ionization values are obtained of 1.88 for ℓ and 0.56 for m when equation 2 is applied, values to be expected if the addition step of an addition-elimination mechanism is dominant. For 18 solvent expected to favor ionization, values from equation 3 of 0.50 for ℓ, 1.01 for m, and 0.51 ± 0.36 for h (0.181 probability that the hI term is statistically insignificant) were calculated (Table 3).

The changes in the kinetic deuterium solvent isotope effect with solvent [43] are also consisted with the change in mechanism. The k_SOH/k_SOD value of 2.02 for methanol is consisted with a general-based catalyzed bimolecular process, which is reduced to a value of 1.91 in 50% methanol, where both mechanisms will be appreciably operating, and to 1.45 in water, where the ionization mechanism is dominant. For chloroformate esters in H₂O and D₂O, a value of 1.79 for the phenyl ester falls to 1.25 for the isopropyl ester [44].

Queen also studied the solvolyses of phenyl chlorodithioformate (Scheme 5) and for solvolysis in 70% acetone [40, 45] concluded that the mechanism was S_N1 in character. Our investigation [42] indicated the reaction to be unimolecular across the full range of the 14 solvents utilized (ℓ = 0.55; m = 0.84) including the solvolysis in 100% ethanol, which would be the most favorable for bimolecular reaction. A study by Koo, Bentley, Lee and coworkers [46] utilized 31 solvents, with 11 of these containing TFE. The 11 solvents which duplicated those of our earlier study all gave specific rates in reasonable to good agreement with the earlier values [47].

With use of our original 14 solvents and 17 additional ones from the subsequent study [46], we found (Table 3), with application of equation 2, that values were obtained of 0.69 for ℓ and 0.95 for m. With application of equation 3 (Figure 3), values of 0.80 for ℓ, 1.02 for m, and 0.42 ± 0.15 for h (probability that the hI term is not statistically significant of 0.009). It does appear that a contribution from the hI term cannot be excluded. The correlation coefficient rose modestly from 0.987 to 0.990 when the term was included. The value of 0.987 in its absence does indicate, however, that its inclusion is not critical.

3. Conclusions

The correlations presently carried out all support the concept of an ionization mechanism with assistance from nucleophilic solvation for the solvolyses of the carbamoyl chlorides. The N-methyl-N-arylcarbamoyl chlorides have ℓ values in the range of 0.44 to 0.58 when equation 2 is applied. Application of equation 3 increases the multiple correlation coefficient only by 0.001 and it appears that the hI terms is not statistically significant and, indeed, the probabilities that the hI term is statistically insignificant range from 0.068 to 0.591. The m value is rather low for an ionization mechanism (0.66 to 0.69 when equation 2 is applied) and this is consistent with the concept that there is considerable internal nucleophilic assistance from the lone pair on the nitrogen.

The correlations of N,N-diphenylcarbamoyl chloride give a lower value for ℓ of 0.23 when equation 2 is applied. This is raised to 0.40 when equation 3 is applied and the h value of 0.55 ± 0.19 is associated with a probability of only 0.007 that the hI terms is statistically insignificant. It appears, consistent with the claim by Liu [32], that there is moderately strong evidence for a detectable effect when two aromatic rings, rather than one, are present.

The number of solvents now available for the correlation of the specific rates of solvolysis of phenyl chloroformate has increased dramatically from the time of our earlier correlation [21] from 21 to 49. The values for ℓ and m obtained on application of equation 2 are, however, essentially unchanged, indicating the very robust character of this correlation. The values of 1.66 and 0.56, respectively, are consistent with the previously proposed addition-elimination pathway, with the addition step being rate-determining. Application of the three-term equation 3 increases the multiple correlation coefficient only by 0.002 and the h value of 0.35 ± 0.19 is accompanied by a 0.068 probability that the hI term is statistically insignificant. These solvolyses are best correlated in terms of equation 2. The solvolyses of p-methoxyphenyl chloroformate have been correlated, but of the 31 solvents only two contain fluoroalcohol. The ℓ and m values are consistent with the proposed addition-elimination pathway but additional fluoroalcohol-containing solvents are need before a high degree of confidence can be assigned to the correlations.

With phenyl chlorodithioformate, the correlations support the claim by Queen [40, 45] that the solvolyses involve an ionization mechanism. A good correlation is obtained across the full range of 31 solvents with either equation 2 (R = 0.987) or equation 3 (R = 0.990). The ℓ values of 0.69 (equation 2) or 0.80 (equation 3) are quite large indicating a high degree of nucleophilic solvation to the ionization process, with m values of 0.95 (equation 2) or 1.02 (equation 3). The h value of 0.42 ± 0.15 obtained with use of equation 3 has only a 0.009 probability that the hI term is statistically insignificant.

The phenyl chlorothionoformate was previously [42] found to proceed by both addition-elimination and ionization mechanisms. Which pathway dominated was determined by the solvent properties, with high solvent nucleophilicity and low solvent ionizing power favoring the bimolecular pathway. A poor overall correlation (R = 0.706 with equation 2 applied) can be considerably improved when the 9 solvents most favorable to addition-elimination (R = 0.950) and the 12 solvents most favorable to ionization (R = 0.980) are separately correlated.

3. Experimental Section

Phenyl chloroformate (Aldrich, 99%) was used as received. Solvents were purified and the kinetic runs carried out as described previously [6]. A substrate concentration of approximately 0.03 M was employed.