Linear free enthalpy relationships: a powerful tool for the design of organic and organometallic synthesis

Abstract

Structure–reactivity relationships are usually investigated within relatively narrow classes of compounds, where structural variation can unequivocally be assigned to certain electronic and steric effects. We present a novel, semiquantitative approach to predict possible reactions of cationic electrophiles (carbenium ions, metal π-complexes, diazonium ions) with neutral nucleophiles (alkenes, alkynes, arenes, hydrides, organometallics and n-nucleophiles). It is shown that the rate constants for these reactions are given with a precision better than a factor of 10–100 by the linear free enthalpy relationship log k(20 °C) = s (E + N), where E characterizes the strengths of the electrophiles, N characterizes the strengths of the nucleophiles and s is a nucleophile-dependent slope parameter, usually close to 1. This deviation appears tolerable in view of the reactivity range extending over more than 30 orders of magnitude, the large structural variety of compounds included and the neglect of solvent and steric effects. The simultaneous treatment of aliphatic, aromatic and organometallic compounds, which becomes possible in this way, provides new qualitative insights, and it is shown how the rule of thumb that reactions proceed at 20 °C if E + N > −5 can be used for rationalizing and designing organic reactions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.