Polar versus Steric Effects in the Solvolysis of 6endo-substituted 2endo-Norbornyl p-Toluenesulfonates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/hlca.19820650718

The solvolysis rates and products of the 6endo-R-substituted 2endo-norbornyl toluenesulfonates 6a-6i have been determined.The rates of 6a-6g correlate with the inductive constants ?^q_I of the 6endo-substituents and are not related to the size of the latter.It is therefore concluded that polar rather than steric effects control the exo/endo-rate ratios of norbornyl sulfonates.Products are derived mainly from rearranged 6exo-R-norbornyl cations when the substituent is an electron donor and from unrearranged 6endo-R-substituted cations when the substituent is an electron acceptor.