Thermal isomerizations of ketenimines to nitriles: evaluations of sigma-Dot (sigma(*)) constants for spin-delocalizations
Rate constants (k(Y)) of the isomerizations of 11 diphenyl N-(substituted benzyl) ketenimines were measured at 40, 50, 60, and 70 degrees C. Activation parameters DeltaH()(Y) and DeltaS()(Y) were obtained using the Eyring equation. The relative rates (k(Y)/k(H)) were fitted into Hammett single correlations (log k(Y)/k(H) = rhosigma and log k(Y)/k(H) = rho(*)sigma(*)). The single correlations have been compared with Hammett dual correlations (log k(Y)/k(H) = rhosigma + rho(*)sigma(*) ). Separate treatments of para and meta substituents yielded even better correlations. Para substituents control the rates through spin-delocalizations and inductive effects. The former outweighs the latter when the latter exerts a modest but distinct influence on the rates. On the other hand, inductive effects are the "major" or the sole interactions triggered by meta substituents.