Carbon Participation in the Solvolysis of 6-exo-substituted 2-exo- and 2-endo-Norbornyl p-Toluenesulfonates. Norbornanes Part 5

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/hlca.19810640735

The solvolysis rates and products of the 6-exo-substituted 2-exo- 1a-1u, and 2-endo-norbornyl p-toluenesulfonates 2a-2u, have been determined.In general, the rate constants for 1 and 2 (log k) correlate well with the inductive constants ?^q_I of the substituents at C(6); however, their sensitivity to ?^q_I is much larger in the 2-exo-series 1 than in the 2-endo-series 2.This differential transmission of polar effects is the cause of decreasing 2-exo/2-endo rate ratios from 2388 for R=t-C4H9 to 0.37 for R=Br, i.e., with increasing electron attraction by the substituent.The high sensitivity of the rate constants for the 2-exo-p-toluenesulfonates 1 to ?^q_I indicates an unusually strong inductive interaction between C(6) and the incipient cationic center at C(2).This interaction is ascribed to the participation of the pentacoordinate C(6)-atom, i.e. to 1,3-bridging, a consequence of steric hindrance of nucleophilic solvent participation in norbornanes.Donor substituents enhanche 1,3-bridging, lead to faster reactions and to the formation of 2-exo substitution products.Conversely, acceptor substituents reduce 1,3-bridging, decrease rates and facilitate the formation of 2-endo substitution products.Graded 1,3-bridging is discussed in the light of Winstein's nonclassical ion concept.