Sixty Years of the Grunwald–Winstein Equation: Development and Recent Applications

An Update on General Chemiexcitation Mechanisms in Cyclic Organic Peroxide Decomposition and the Chemiluminescent Peroxyoxalate Reaction in Aqueous Media

Four-membered ring peroxides are intimately linked to chemiluminescence and bioluminescence transformations, as high-energy intermediates responsible for electronically excited state formation. The synthesis of 1,2-dioxetanes and 1,2-dioxetanones enabled mechanistic studies on their decomposition occurring with the formation of electronically excited carbonyl products in the singlet or triplet state. The third member of this family, 1,2-dioxetanedione, has been postulated as the intermediate in the peroxyoxalate reaction, recently confirmed by kinetic studies on peroxalic acid derivatives. Several general chemiexcitation mechanisms have been proposed as model systems for the chemiexcitation step in efficient bioluminescence and chemiluminescence transformations. In this review article, we discuss the validity and efficiency of the most important chemiexcitation mechanisms, extended to aqueous media, where the efficiency is known to be drastically reduced, specifically in the peroxyoxalate reaction, highly efficient in anhydrous environment, but much less efficient in aqueous media. Mechanistic studies of this reaction will be discussed in diverse aqueous environments, with special attention to the catalysis involved in the thermal reaction leading to the formation of the high-energy intermediate and to the chemiexcitation mechanism, as well as emission quantum yields. Finally, several recent analytical and bioanalytical applications of the peroxyoxalate reaction in aqueous media will be given.

Mechanistic studies of the solvolysis of alkanesulfonyl and arenesulfonyl halides

There have been several studies on the solvolysis mechanisms for alkanesulfonyl chlorides (RSO2Cl) and arenesulfonyl chlorides (ArSO2Cl). The earlier of these studies were reviewed a little over thirty years ago by Gordon, Maskill and Ruasse (Chem. Soc. Rev. 1989, 18, 123-151) in a contribution entitled "Sulfonyl Transfer Reactions". The present review will emphasize more recent contributions and, in particular, the application of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation and kinetic solvent isotope effects to the solvolysis reactions. There is also an appreciable number of reports concerning the corresponding anhydrides with the chloride leaving group replaced by the appropriate sulfonate leaving group, concerning sulfamoyl chlorides (ZZ'NSO2Cl) with Z and Z' being alkyl or aryl and concerning the solvolysis of chlorosulfate esters (alkoxy- or aryloxysulfonyl chlorides), with the structures ROSO2Cl or ArOSO2Cl. The solvolyses of these additional types of sulfur(VI) substrates will be the topics of a future review.

The Influence of a Terminal Chlorine Substituent on the Kinetics and the Mechanism of the Solvolyses of n-Alkyl Chloroformates in Hydroxylic Solvents

A previous study of the effect of a 2-chloro substituent on the rates and the mechanisms of the solvolysis of ethyl chloroformate is extended to the effect of a 3-chloro substituent on the previously studied solvolysis of propyl chloroformate and to the effect of a 4-chloro substituent on the here reported rates of solvolysis of butyl chloroformate. In each comparison, the influence of the chloro substituent is shown to be nicely consistent with the proposal, largely based on the application of the extended Grunwald–Winstein equation, of an addition-elimination mechanism for solvolysis in the solvents of only modest solvent ionizing power, which changes over to an ionization mechanism for solvents of relatively high ionizing power and low nucleophilicity, such as aqueous fluoroalcohols with an appreciable fluoroalcohol content.

Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of α-bromoisobutyrophenone using both simple and extended forms of the Grunwald-Winstein equation and the application of correlation analysis to related studies

A Grunwald-Winstein treatment of the specific rates of solvolysis of α-bromoisobutyrophenone in 100% methanol and in several aqueous ethanol, methanol, acetone, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) mixtures gives a good logarithmic correlation against a linear combination of N_T (solvent nucleophilicity) and Y_Br (solvent ionizing power) values. The l and m sensitivity values are compared to those previously reported for α-bromoacetophenone and to those obtained from parallel treatments of literature specific rate values for the solvolyses of several tertiary mesylates containing a C(=O)R group attached at the α-carbon. Kinetic data obtained earlier by Pasto and Sevenair for the solvolyses of the same substrate in 75% aqueous ethanol (by weight) in the presence of silver perchlorate and perchloric acid are analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

Correlation analysis of the rates of solvolysis of 4-bromopiperidine: a reaction following a Grob fragmentation pathway

A Grunwald-Winstein treatment of the specific rates of solvolysis of 4-bromopiperidine gives for aqueous ethanol, methanol, acetone, and dioxane a very good logarithmic correlation against the YBr solvent ionizing power values with a slope (m value) of 0.46±0.02, consistent with the operation of a synchronous Grob fragmentation mechanism. When the organic component of the solvent is 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), the data points show a negative deviation, consistent with an appreciable deactivating interaction of the acidic TFE component of the solvent with the lone-pair of electrons present on the nitrogen.

Mechanistic Studies of the Solvolyses of Carbamoyl Chlorides and Related Reactions

Carbamoyl chlorides are important intermediates, both in the research laboratory and in industrial scale syntheses. The most studied and used are the disubstituted derivatives, incorporating either aryl or alkyl groups (Ar2NCOCl or R2NCOCl). Sometimes, the groups are tied back to give a ring and piperidino- and morpholino-derivatives are commonly encountered. Some studies have been made with two different groups attached. Solvolyses tend to occur at the carbonyl carbon, with replacement of the chloride ion. Studies of both rate and products are reviewed and the solvolysis reactions are usually SN1, although addition of an amine leads to a superimposable bimolecular component. Many of the studies under solvolytic conditions include the application of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. The monosubstituted derivatives (ArNHCOCl or RNHCOCl) are less studied. They are readily prepared by the addition of HCl to an isocyanate. In acetonitrile, they decompose to set up and reach equilibrium with the isocyanate (ArNCO or RNCO) and HCl. Considering that the structurally related formyl chloride (HOCOCl) is highly unstable (with formation of HCl + CO2), the unsubstituted carbamoyl chloride (H2NCOCl) is remarkably stable. Recommended synthetic procedures require it to survive reaction temperatures in the 300-400 °C range. There has been very little study of its reactions.

Correlation of the Rates of Solvolysis of 2,1-Benzoxathiol-3-One-1, 1-dioxide (2-Sulfobenzoic Acid Cyclic Anhydride)

Solvolysis of acyclic mixed carboxylic–sulfonic anhydrides in hydroxylic solvents is known to involve displacement at the carbonyl carbon to produce a carboxylic acid (water as the nucleophile) and/or an ester (alcohol as the nucleophile) plus the anion of the sulfonic acid. Parallel solvolyses of the cyclic mixed anhydride 2-sulfobenzoic anhydride (structurally similar to phthalic anhydride but with one carbonyl group replaced by a sulfonyl group) involve expulsion from the carbonyl carbon of a sulfonate anion that remains attached as an ortho-substituent in the benzoic acid and/or benzoate ester produced. This complicates the choice of a solvent-ionising-power scale for use in an extended Grunwald–Winstein equation treatment. The YOTs scale, previously recommended as a good general purpose scale, is chosen and used in conjunction with the NT solvent nucleophilicity scale. An acceptable correlation is obtained, which is improved when the two solvents rich in the highly ionising 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol are excluded. As the solvent is varied, the sensitivities to the changes induced in the two scales are low, consistent with an early transition state, but their ratio has a value which is typical for a pathway involving addition–elimination, with addition rate-determining. Earlier reports, supporting aspects of the proposed mechanism, are reviewed.

Calculated third order rate constants for interpreting the mechanisms of hydrolyses of chloroformates, carboxylic Acid halides, sulfonyl chlorides and phosphorochloridates

Hydrolyses of acid derivatives (e.g., carboxylic acid chlorides and fluorides, fluoro- and chloroformates, sulfonyl chlorides, phosphorochloridates, anhydrides) exhibit pseudo-first order kinetics. Reaction mechanisms vary from those involving a cationic intermediate (S_N1) to concerted S_N2 processes, and further to third order reactions, in which one solvent molecule acts as the attacking nucleophile and a second molecule acts as a general base catalyst. A unified framework is discussed, in which there are two reaction channels—an S_N1-S_N2 spectrum and an S_N2-S_N3 spectrum. Third order rate constants (k₃) are calculated for solvolytic reactions in a wide range of compositions of acetone-water mixtures, and are shown to be either approximately constant or correlated with the Grunwald-Winstein Y parameter. These data and kinetic solvent isotope effects, provide the experimental evidence for the S_N2-S_N3 spectrum (e.g., for chloro- and fluoroformates, chloroacetyl chloride, p-nitrobenzoyl p-toluenesulfonate, sulfonyl chlorides). Deviations from linearity lead to U- or V-shaped plots, which assist in the identification of the point at which the reaction channel changes from S_N2-S_N3 to S_N1-S_N2 (e.g., for benzoyl chloride).

Statistical Methods for the Investigation of Solvolysis Mechanisms Illustrated by the Chlorides of the Carbomethoxy Protecting Groups NVOC and FMOC

The solvolysis of 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl chloroformate (NVOC-Cl, 1) is followed at 25.0°C in twenty hydroxylic solvents. A comparison with previously published rates for benzyl chloroformate and p-nitrobenzyl chloroformate indicates that the inductive effect of the nitro and the two methoxy groups strongly influences the rate of reaction. For 1, the specific rates of solvolysis are correlated using an extended Grunwald-Winstein (G-W) treatment. A direct comparison with the data for phenyl chloroformate (PhOCOCl) in identical solvents strongly suggests that the addition step within an addition-elimination mechanism is rate-determining for both substrates. A reevaluation of the kinetic data for 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl, 2) involves a correlation of log⁡(k/k o )2 versus log⁡(k/k o )PhOCOCl. In this plot, deviations were observed in solvents rich in a hydrogen-bonding fluoroalcohol component. Omitting the aqueous fluoroalcohol rate measurements for 2 in an analysis using the extended G-W equation suggested the occurrence of dual pathways differing in the dependences upon the ionizing power and nucleophilicity of the solvent. In addition, the fluorenyl ring is rotated out of the plane containing the ether oxygen and, as a result, PhOCOCl is found to solvolyze 20 times faster than 2 in ethanol and methanol.

Influence of sulfur for oxygen substitution in the solvolytic reactions of chloroformate esters and related compounds

The replacement of oxygen within a chloroformate ester (ROCOCl) by sulfur can lead to a chlorothioformate (RSCOCl), a chlorothionoformate (ROCSCl), or a chlorodithioformate (RSCSCl). Phenyl chloroformate (PhOCOCl) reacts over the full range of solvents usually included in Grunwald-Winstein equation studies of solvolysis by an addition-elimination (A-E) pathway. At the other extreme, phenyl chlorodithioformate (PhSCSCl) reacts across the range by an ionization pathway. The phenyl chlorothioformate (PhSCOCl) and phenyl chlorothionoformate (PhOCSCl) react at remarkably similar rates in a given solvent and there is a dichotomy of behavior with the A-E pathway favored in solvents such as ethanol-water and the ionization mechanism favored in aqueous solvents rich in fluoroalcohol. Alkyl esters behave similarly but with increased tendency to ionization as the alkyl group goes from 1° to 2° to 3°. N,N-Disubstituted carbamoyl halides favor the ionization pathway as do also the considerably faster reacting thiocarbamoyl chlorides. The tendency towards ionization increases as, within the three contributing structures of the resonance hybrid for the formed cation, the atoms carrying positive charge (other than the central carbon) change from oxygen to sulfur to nitrogen, consistent with the relative stabilities of species with positive charge on these atoms.

Extent of Nucleophilic Participation in the Solvolyses of an Aryl Chloromethyl Ether, α, p-Dichloroanisole

The specific rates of solvolysis of α, p-dichloroanisole (chloromethyl p-chlorophenyl ether, 1) have been measured conductimetrically in a variety of hydroxylic solvents. In three typical solvents, at 25.0 °C, the rate is 20–45 times greater than for the corresponding sulfide. In a comparison with the solvolysis of a substrate with an alkyl group replacing the aryl group, chloromethyl ethyl ether (2), at −10.0 °C in four typical solvents, 1 reacted considerably more slowly than 2, by a little over four orders of magnitude. An extended Grunwald–Winstein equation treatment of the specific rates of solvolyses in 24 solvents at 25.0 °C leads to an l value of 0.68 ± 0.04 and an m value of 0.59 ± 0.03 ( l/ m = 1.15). Appreciable nucleophilic assistance in the progress to the transition state is indicated and either nucleophilic solvation to an ionisation process or a loose SN2 transition state with extensive bond-breaking accompanied by a smaller degree of bond-making lead to an appropriate transition state.

Kinetic studies that evaluate the solvolytic mechanisms of allyl and vinyl chloroformate esters

At 25.0 °C the specific rates of solvolysis for allyl and vinyl chloroformates have been determined in a wide mix of pure and aqueous organic mixtures. In all the solvents studied, vinyl chloroformate was found to react significantly faster than allyl chloroformate. Multiple correlation analyses of these rates are completed using the extended (two-term) Grunwald-Winstein equation with incorporation of literature values for solvent nucleophilicity (N_T) and solvent ionizing power (Y_Cl). Both substrates were found to solvolyze by similar dual bimolecular carbonyl-addition and unimolecular ionization channels, each heavily dependent upon the solvents nucleophilicity and ionizing ability.

Evaluation of Electronic Effects in the Solvolyses of p-Methylphenyl and p-Chlorophenyl Chlorothionoformate Esters

The solvolyses of p-tolyl chlorothionoformate and p-chlorophenyl chlorothionoformate are studied in a variety of organic mixtures of widely varying nucleophilicity and ionizing power values. This solvolytic data is accumulated at 25.0 °C using the titration method. An analysis of the rate data using the extended (two-term) Grunwald-Winstein equation, and the concept of similarity of substrates based on their l/m ratios, shows the occurrence of simultaneous side-by-side addition-elimination and unimolecular S_N1 mechanisms.

Extent of Nucleophilic Participation in the Solvolyses of Alkyl Chloromethyl Ethers and Sulfides

The specific rates of solvolysis have been determined for chloromethyl ethyl ether (3) and chloromethyl octyl ether (4) at −10.0 °C and for chloromethyl methyl sulfide (5) at 25.0 °C in a variety of pure and binary solvents. These values were used for a correlation analysis treatment using the extended Grunwald–Winstein equation incorporating literature values for solvent nucleophilicity ( NT) and solvent ionising power ( YCl). Appreciable values were found for the sensitivities towards changes in both NT and YCl values. Using a literature specific rate of hydrolysis at 25.0 °C for fluoromethyl methyl ether (2), the required value for chloromethyl methyl ether (1) was obtained from use of NT and YCl values and the sensitivities for 3 to changes in their values, to adjust an experimental specific rate value for 1 in 100% ethanol to the corresponding value in 100% water. In this way, an estimated kCl/ kF of 1.2 × 105 was obtained, essentially identical to values for the solvolyses of tert-butyl halides. A unimolecular mechanism for the solvolyses, with appreciable nucleophilic solvation of the developing carbocation, is proposed. Electronic supplementary information provides, for several solvents, specific rates of solvolysis for 3, 4, and 5 at additional temperatures and the calculated activation parameters.

Use of Linear Free Energy Relationships (LFERs) to elucidate the mechanisms of reaction of a γ-methyl-β-alkynyl and an ortho-substituted aryl chloroformate ester

The specific rates of solvolysis of 2-butyn-1-yl-chloroformate (1) and 2-methoxyphenyl chloroformate (2) are studied at 25.0 °C in a series of binary aqueousorganic mixtures. The rates of reaction obtained are then analyzed using the extended Grunwald-Winstein (G-W) equation and the results are compared to previously published G-W analyses for phenyl chloroformate (3), propargyl chloroformate (4), p-methoxyphenyl choroformate (5), and p-nitrophenyl chloroformate (6). For 1, the results indicate that dual side-by-side addition-elimination and ionization pathways are occurring in some highly ionizing solvents due to the presence of the electron-donating γ-methyl group. For 2, the analyses indicate that the dominant mechanism is a bimolecular one where the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate is rate-determining.

Correlation of the Rates of Solvolysis of 3,4,5-trimethoxy- and 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyl chlorides

The introduction of methoxy groups into the 3- and 5-positions of 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride leads to a reduction in specific rates of solvolysis. An extended Grunwald–Winstein equation correlation for the specific rates of solvolysis of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl chloride gives sensitivities towards changes in solvent nucleophilicity (/ value) of 0.29 and towards changes in solvent ionising power ( m value) of 0.54. The low m value allows specific rates to be determined in highly ionising fluoroalcohol-H2O mixtures. A parallel correlation of the specific rates of solvolysis of 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyl chloride reveals that solvolyses in 100% and 90% ethanol or methanol do not appreciably follow the ionisation pathway indicated for solvolyses in the other solvents and it is proposed that, despite the two ortho-substituents, the addition–elimination pathway has become dominant.

A Study of Solvent Effects in the Solvolysis of Propargyl Chloroformate

The specific rates of solvolysis of propargyl chloroformate (1) are analyzed in 22 solvents of widely varying nucleophilicity and ionizing power values at 25.0 °C using the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. Sensitivities to solvent nucleophilicity (l) of 1.37 and to solvent ionizing power (m) of 0.47 suggest a bimolecular process with the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate. A plot of the rates of solvolysis of 1 against those previously reported for phenyl chloroformate (2) results in a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.996, a slope of 0.86, and an F-test value of 2161. The unequivocal correlation between these two substrates attest that the stepwise association-dissociation (A(N) + D(N)) mechanism previously proposed for 2 is also operative in 1.

Kinetic evaluation of the solvolysis of isobutyl chloro- and chlorothioformate esters

The specific rates of solvolysis of isobutyl chloroformate (1) are reported at 40.0 °C and those for isobutyl chlorothioformate (2) are reported at 25.0 °C, in a variety of pure and binary aqueous organic mixtures with wide ranging nucleophilicity and ionizing power. For 1, we also report the first-order rate constants determined at different temperatures in pure ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), 80% EtOH, and in both 97% and 70% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). The enthalpy (ΔH(≠)) and entropy (ΔS(≠)) of activation values obtained from Arrhenius plots for 1 in these five solvents are reported. The specific rates of solvolysis were analyzed using the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. Results obtained from correlation analysis using this linear free energy relationship (LFER) reinforce our previous suggestion that side-by-side addition-elimination and ionization mechanisms operate, and the relative importance is dependent on the type of chloro- or chlorothioformate substrate and the solvent.

Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of neopentyl chloroformate-a recommended protecting agent

The specific rates of solvolysis of neopentyl chloroformate (1) have been determined in 21 pure and binary solvents at 45.0 °C. In most solvents the values are essentially identical to those for ethyl and n-propyl chloroformates. However, in aqueous-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol mixtures (HFIP) rich in fluoroalcohol, 1 solvolyses appreciably faster than the other two substrates. Linear free energy relationship (LFER) comparison of the specific rates of solvolysis of 1 with those for phenyl chloroformate and those for n-propyl chloroformate are helpful in the mechanistic considerations, as is also the treatment in terms of the Extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. It is proposed that the faster reaction for 1 in HFIP rich solvents is due to the influence of a 1,2-methyl shift, leading to a tertiary alkyl cation, outweighing the only weak nucleophilic solvation of the cation possible in these low nucleophilicity solvents.

On the Importance of the Aromatic Ring Parameter in Studies of the Solvolyses of Cinnamyl and Cinnamoyl Halides

In solvolysis studies using Grunwald-Winstein plots, dispersions were observed for substrates with aromatic rings at the α-carbon. Several examples for the unimolecular solvolysis of monoaryl benzylic derivatives and related diaryl- or naphthyl- substituted derivatives have now been reported, where the application of the aromatic ring parameter (I) removes this dispersion. A recent claim suggesting the presence of an appreciable nucleophilic component to the I scale, has now been shown, in a review of the solvolysis of highly-hindered alkyl halides, to be unlikely to be correct. Attention is now focused on the application of the hI term for the solvolysis of compounds containing a double bond in the vicinity of any developing carbocation. Available specific rates of solvolysis (plus some new values) at 25°C of cinnamyl chloride, cinnamyl bromide, cinnamoyl chloride, p-chlorocinnamoyl chloride, and p-nitrocinnamoyl chloride are analyzed using the simple and extended (including the hI term) Grunwald-Winstein equations.

Analysis of the nucleophilic solvation effects in isopropyl chlorothioformate solvolysis

Correlation of the solvent effects through application of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation to the solvolysis of isopropyl chlorothioformate results in a sensitivity value of 0.38 towards changes in solvent nucleophilicity (l) and a sensitivity value of 0.72 towards changes in solvent ionizing power (m). This tangible l value coupled with the negative entropies of activation observed indicates a favorable predisposition towards a modest rear-side nucleophilic solvation of a developing carbocation. Only in 100% ethanol was the bimolecular pathway dominant. These observations are very different from those obtained for the solvolysis of isopropyl chloroformate, where dual reaction channels were proposed, with the addition-elimination reaction favored in the more nucleophilic solvents and a unimolecular fragmentation-ionization mechanism favored in the highly ionizing solvents.

Use of empirical correlations to determine solvent effects in the solvolysis of S-methyl chlorothioformate

The specific rates of solvolysis of S-methyl chlorothioformate (MeSCOCl) are analyzed in 20 solvents of widely varying nucleophilicity and ionizing power at 25.0 degrees C using the extended Grunwald-Winstein Equation. A stepwise S(N)1 (D(N) + A(N)) mechanism is proposed in the more ionizing solvents including six aqueous fluoroalcohols. In these solvents, a large sensitivity value of 0.79 towards changes in solvent nucleophilicity (l) is indicative of profound rearside nucleophilic solvation of the developing carbocation. In twelve of the more nucleophilic pure alchohols and aqueous solutions, the sensitivities obtained for solvent nucleophilicity (l) and solvent ionizing power (m) are similar to those found in acyl chlorides where an association-dissociation (A(N) + D(N)) mechanism is believed to be operative.