Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of aryl thiocarbamates: effects of the non-leaving group

Abstract

The kinetics of the aminolysis of aryl thiocarbamates [ATC: H2NC(=O)SC6H4Z] with benzylamines (XC6H4CH2NH2) in acetonitrile at 10.0 degrees C have been studied. The rate order with variation of the non-leaving amino group, RNH, in RNHC(=O)SC6H4Z is NH2 < PhNH < EtNH indicating that the polar (sigma*) and steric (E(s)) effects of the RNH group are insignificant, and the strength of push to expel the leaving group in the tetrahedral transition state is the sole, important effect. The strong push provided by the NH2 group, the negative rhoXZ(-0.38) value, the size of betaZ(-0.54), and failure of the reactivity-selectivity principle are all consistent with the concerted mechanism. The kinetic isotope effects involving deuterated amine nucleophiles (XC6H4CH2ND2) are normal (k(H)/k(D)approximately 1.40-1.73) suggesting a hydrogen-bonded cyclic transition state.