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rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
44
pubmed:dateCreated
2009-11-5
pubmed:abstractText
This paper explores the contribution of solvation to the overall steric effects of S(N)2 reactions observed in solution. The reactions of chloride ion with a series of alkyl chloronitriles, RCH(CN)Cl (R = methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl) were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. These reactions serve as a model system for the parent reactions, Cl(-) + RCH(2)Cl, which are too slow to measure. Each additional substitution at the beta-carbon lowers the reactivity, clearly demonstrating a steric hindrance effect. The magnitude of the steric effect, however, is not significantly different in the gas phase and in solution. We conclude that the solvation energies of the corresponding S(N)2 transition states must be similar regardless of size of the substituent. This lack of size dependence in the current system is in sharp contrast with many other ionic systems such as ionization of simple alkyl alcohols, where solvation depends strongly on size. We propose that the weak size dependence results from the compensation between a direct shielding effect of the substituent and an indirect ionic solvation effect, which arises from the geometric perturbations introduced by the substitution. The conclusion is further supported by calculations using polarizable continuum models and QM/MM simulations.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:status
PubMed-not-MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Nov
pubmed:issn
1520-5126
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
11
pubmed:volume
131
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
16162-70
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Steric and solvation effects in ionic S(N)2 reactions.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5080, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article