Kinetic equations for reactions in concentrated aqueous acids based on the concept of "excess acidity"

Abstract

Kinetic equations, applicable to A-1, A-SE2, and A-2 reactions in concentrated aqueous acids, are derived. The variation in reaction rate with varying acid concentration is treated in terms of the "excess acidity" of the medium (X-function), rather than in terms of Hammett-type acidity functions or the water activity. The parameters obtained are the medium-independent rate constant k0, in the aqueous standard state, as an intercept, and a slope parameter m≠ hydration parameters (r-values) are also obtained, for A-2 reactions. The equations derived are shown to apply to A-1 acetal hydrolyses, A-SE2 electrophilic aromatic substitutions, and mixed A-2/A-1 ester hydrolyses. In a general discussion of available methods for analyzing rate data in these media, it is shown that the X-function method encompasses most, if not all, of the others, and that classical acidity functions are no longer necessary.