The kinetics of the chloride-catalysed diazotisation of the toluidines were investigated. For the rate-determining stage, which is, under the present conditions. the N-nitrosation of the unprotonated amine by NOCI, the values of the specific reaction rate, the free energy of activation, AG", the enthalpy of activation, AH", the entropy of activation, ASf, and the energy of activation, E, were determined and compared. The influence of the nuclear methyl substituent, in the different positions of the benzene ring in the aniline molecule, was interpreted in terms of electrical effects.