The influence of solvent on the reaction between isopropylamine and 2-(bromoacetyl)naphthalene

Abstract

The rate of the reaction between isopropylamine and 2-(bromoacetyl)naphthalene to give 2-(isopropylaminoacetyl)naphthalene in a series of solvents bears no relation to solvent dielectric constant. Instead, it parallels the thermodynamic activity of the naphthalene reactant. Possible generalisations from this observation are discussed. The reaction follows simple second-order kinetics with the complication that more than one molecule of isopropylamine is used up.