Solvent effects on the structure of SN2 transition states

Abstract

Two research groups have used heavy atom leaving group kinetic isotope effects to determine how the structure of an SN2 transition state is affected by a change in solvent. Two completely different types of behaviour were observed in these studies. In one case, the leaving group kinetic isotope effect, and thus the transition state structure, changed markedly when the solvent was varied over a reasonably narrow range. In the other study, the leaving group kinetic isotope effect (transition state structure) remained constant over a wide range of solvents. A model describing the interaction between solvent molecules and SN2 transition states is developed and a SolvationruleforSN2reactions which rationalizes the different experimental results is explained and justified. Finally, predictions based on the solvation rule are shown to be in agreement with the results of theoretical calculations of solvent effects on SN2 transition states and secondary α deuterium kinetic isotope effect measurements.