Indices of Transition State Symmetry in Proton-Transfer Reactions. Kinetic Isotope Effects and Brønested's Β in Base-Catalyzed Diazo-Coupling Reactions

Abstract

The applicability of kH/kD and of Bronsted's β as indices of transition state symmetry in proton-transfer reactions has been tested in a number of base-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. The data obtained from measurements involving the coupling of the diazonium salts of m- and p-chloroanilings, p-nitroaniline, and 4-amino-3-hydroxy-benzenesulfonic acid with two naphthols and their deuterated analogs, catalyzed by 12 bases, provide ample evidence for doubting the validity of β as a measure of the degree of proton transfer at the transition state. Variations in the structure of the transition state, caused by changes in the pKa of the catalyzing base, are more readily reflected in kH/kD. The origin of the observed variation of isotope effects is discussed, and the validity of kH/kD as an index of transition state symmetry is questioned. © 1974, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Department(s)

Chemistry

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1520-5126; 0002-7863

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2026 American Chemical Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 1974

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