Alcoholysis of t-butyl chloride in branched and straight-chain alcohols: a kinetic and calorimetric study

Abstract

Kinetic and related calorimetric data are reported for the alcoholysis of t-butyl chloride. Heat capacities of solution and activation are used to probe the role of solvent in the activation process. Partial molar heat capacities of activation, ground, and transition states differ for reaction in normal and branched alcohols. Structural and mechanistic distinctions between the two classes of solvolytic reaction are established.