Solvolysis of sulphonyl halides. V. Hydrolysis and deuterolysis of methanesulphonyl chloride

Abstract

The values of the thermodynamic parameters of activation have been determined for the solvolysis of methanesulphonyl chloride in H2O and D2O and their mixtures with moderate amounts of dioxan. Some of the data are not in agreement with the postulate that the kinetic solvent isotope effect and the maximum in the rate of solvolysis produced by the addition of dioxan are due to changes in the initial state of the reacting system rather than to changes in the transition state. The addition of dioxan does not produce a large reduction in the solvent isotope effect as reported for the hydrolysis of t-butyl chloride and predicted to be general. The relative rates of solvolysis in mixtures of H2O and D2O are not in agreement with the analysis of such reactions by Swain and Thornton.