The equilibrium constants K,l,n for the gas-phase equilibria (n -1,n) X-(Me2SO),, + Me2S0 = X-(Me,SO),, X = CI-, Br-, I-(n = 1 to n = 3 or 4) were measured with a pulsed high-pressure mass spectrometer. van't Hoff plots of these data lead to AHo,l,n, ASo,l,n, and AGon-l,r These data represent information on the inner-shell solvation of X-to Me2S0. Comparison with work in the preceding paper, this issue, on K+ (Me,SO), shows that the positive isoelectronic ion K' bonds to Me2S0 much more strongly than Cl-. MO calculations at the 4-3 1G level for these systems and improved electrostatic calculations are used to show that this is due to electrostatic reasons, Le., the location of the dipole in Me2S0 is largely on the S'O-group. This dipole can be approached easily by K+ but not by C1-since the methyl groups interfere in the latter case. Comparing the inner-shell solvation of C1-by Me2S0 and H 2 0 one finds that, in spite of the above effect, Me2S0 bonds more strongly, a consequence of the much higher dipole moment of Me2S0. However, in the liquid solvents H 2 0 provides better solvation. This is a consequence of the much larger radius of the CI-Me2S0 inner-shell cluster when compared with the C1-, H 2 0 cluster, Le., significant solvation beyond the inner shell occurs for C1-, H 2 0 but not for CI-Me2S0. Comparison of the data for C1-, Br-, I-in Me2S0 and water shows that both the inner-shell solvation and more importantly the solvation in the liquid solvents decreases for Me2S0 and H 2 0 in the order C1-, Br-, I-, Le., with increasing ion size; however, the decrease in the dipolar aprotic solvents is appreciably less. The smaller decrease of solvation with an increase of ion radius is the principal reason for the much higher rates of reactions A-+ B = (AB-)* -C-+ D in dipolar aprotic solvents. The reaction C1-+ CH3Br = CICH3 + Br-is examined in detail on the basis of its reaction coordinate in the gas phase and in solution. It is shown on the basis of sound thermochemical data for the relative solvation energies of X-that good predictions of the activation energy in protic and aprotic solvents can be made.Dipolar aprotic solvents like dimdthyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), dimethylformamide (DMF), acetonitrile, and acetone are used extensively in organic synthetic work. Of particular importance is their ability to accelerate reactions involving anionic reactants and transition states. A simple example is the sN2 reaction 1 which in D M F has a rate that is lo5 times higher than that in water.l The reasons for observing higher rates in dipolar aprotic H -CICH3 + Br-(I) CIt CHSBr -C I ---C ---B r -