Capture of benzhydryl chloride ion pairs by cobalt nitrate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)97169-8

A case is presented where a transition metal salt, Co(NO₃)₂, intervenes in the solvolysis of benzhydryl chloride, after the rate determining ionization step. This is in contrast to the behavior of other salts which intervene early and promote the ionization reaction. This novel behavior of Co(NO₃)₂ permits for the first time the detection of two ion pair intermediates in the solvolysis of an alkyl chloride which generates an open carbonium ion.