Reaction of 4-Chloro-3,5-Dinitrobenzotrifluoride with Aniline Derivatives. Substituent Effects

N-(2,6-Dinitro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)aniline derivatives were prepared by anilino-dechlorination of 4-chloro-3, 5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride. IR, UV and 1H NMR studies suggested an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the amino hydrogen and one o-nitro group. An addition-elimination mechanism was suggested based on the second-order kinetics and the dependence of rates on the nature and the position of the substituent in the aniline ring, as well as the high negative values of ρ(-3.14, −3.16, −3.01). Such values indicate a positive charge on the aniline nitrogen in the transition state and that the rate is affected by the polar effect of the substituent. The β value (0.85 at 30°C) indicates an appreciable degree of bond formation in the transition state.