Inductive effects and rate and equilibrium constants of chemical reactions

Abstract

Inductive effects of groups can conveniently be measured by effective charges Q-the hypothetical charges which would be required t o give the same effect as the groups. Provided the group is not involved in mesomeric interactions, its inductive effect is reduced by a transmission factor (6-0.5) if an extra atom is introduced between it and the site of the reaction. The relative rates of solvolysis of substituted t-cumyl chlorides can be calculated from the charge distribution of the benzyl anion and other examples are given of the use of Q and E for the estimation of the effects of substitution upon equilibrium and rate constants.