SOLVOLYSIS IN DEUTERIUM AND HYDROGEN OXIDE

Abstract

Rate data for a series of benzenesulphonates, halides, and methyl methanesulphonate were determined in light and heavy water. The rate ratio [Formula: see text] varied with the nature of the anion being formed from 0.94. for the hydrolysis of methyl methanesulphonate to 0.78 for methyl chloride. This difference in ratio was attributed to differences in the nature of the solvation of the initial states. No appreciable differences arose, however, through the alkyl series methyl, ethyl, isopropyl benzenesulphonates, and the difference for the ratio [Formula: see text] between MeCl and t-butyl chloride was small, contrary to recently published work.