Hammett Rho Research Articles

The nucleophilicity of adamantanylidene: a Hammett study

In its reactions with a series of styrene substrates, adamantanylidene behaves as a nucleophile, exhibiting a Hammett rho value of +2.0. Computational studies support the nucleophilicity of adamantanylidene in styrene addition reactions.

Sulfoxidation with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by [SeO4{WO(O2)2}2]2−

The selenium-containing dinuclear peroxotungstate, [(n-C(4)H(9))(4)N](2)[SeO(4){WO(O(2))(2)}(2)] (I), acts as a homogeneous catalyst for the selective oxidation of various kinds of cyclic mono- and disulfides with 30% aqueous H(2)O(2). The cyclic disulfides were selectively oxidized to the corresponding monosulfoxides with one equivalent of H(2)O(2) with respect to the sulfides. In the presence of two equivalents of H(2)O(2), the oxidation of dibenzothiophene gave the corresponding sulfone in 98% yield under the mild conditions. The negative Hammett rho value (-0.62) for the competitive oxidation of p-substituted thioanisoles and the low X(SO) (X(SO) = (nucleophilic oxidation)/(total oxidation)) value of 0.14 for the I-catalyzed oxidation of thianthrene 5-oxide (SSO) revealed that I is a strong electrophilic oxidant. The reactivities of the di- and tetranuclear peroxotungstates with XO(4)(n-) ligands (X = Se(vi), As(v), P(v), S(vi), and Si(iv)) were strongly dependent on the kinds of hetero atoms. The reaction rates for the sulfoxidation decreased with an increase in the X(SO) values and a peroxotungstate with a stronger electrophilicity was more active for the sulfoxidation. The kinetic and mechanistic investigations showed that the electrophilic attack of the peroxo oxygen at the sulfur atom is a key step in the sulfoxidation. The computational investigation supported the high chemoselectivitiy for the sulfoxidation of diallyl sulfide.

Enhanced Reactivities of Iron(IV)‐Oxo Porphyrin π‐Cation Radicals in Oxygenation Reactions by Electron‐Donating Axial Ligands

The proximal axial ligand in heme iron enzymes plays an important role in tuning the reactivities of iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radicals in oxidation reactions. The present study reports the effects of axial ligands in olefin epoxidation, aromatic hydroxylation, alcohol oxidation, and alkane hydroxylation, by [(tmp)(+*) Fe(IV)(O)(p-Y-PyO)](+) (1-Y) (tmp = meso-tetramesitylporphyrin, p-Y-PyO = para-substituted pyridine N-oxides, and Y = OCH(3), CH(3), H, Cl). In all of the oxidation reactions, the reactivities of 1-Y are found to follow the order 1-OCH(3) > 1-CH(3) > 1-H > 1-Cl; negative Hammett rho values of -1.4 to -2.7 were obtained by plotting the reaction rates against the sigma(p) values of the substituents of p-Y-PyO. These results, as well as previous ones on the effect of anionic nucleophiles, show that iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radicals bearing electron-donating axial ligands are more reactive in oxo-transfer and hydrogen-atom abstraction reactions. These results are counterintuitive since iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radicals are electrophilic species. Theoretical calculations of anionic and neutral ligands reproduced the counterintuitive experimental findings and elucidated the root cause of the axial ligand effects. Thus, in the case of anionic ligands, as the ligand becomes a better electron donor, it strengthens the FeO-H bond and thereby enhances its H-abstraction activity. In addition, it weakens the Fe=O bond and encourages oxo-transfer reactivity. Both are Bell-Evans-Polanyi effects, however, in a series of neutral ligands like p-Y-PyO, there is a relatively weak trend that appears to originate in two-state reactivity (TSR). This combination of experiment and theory enabled us to elucidate the factors that control the reactivity patterns of iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radicals in oxidation reactions and to resolve an enigmatic and fundamental problem.

Experimental Investigation into the Mechanism of the Epoxidation of Aldehydes with Sulfur Ylides

A mechanistic study of the epoxidation of aldehydes with sulfur ylides has been carried out. The DeltaG++ of the reaction was determined to be 22.2 kcal/mol at 298 K. A 13C kinetic isotope effect was determined to be 1.026 for the carbonyl carbon of benzaldehyde. A secondary deuterium isotope effect was determined to be 0.93 for the aldehydic hydrogen atom of benzaldehyde. Substituent effects on reaction rate were studied, and a Hammett rho of +2.50 was found.

Mechanistic Studies of Copper(I)-Catalyzed Allylic Amination

The reactions of nitrosobenzene and N,N'-diethyl-4-nitrosoaniline with [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6 provide novel Cu(I) complexes, [Cu(PhNO)3]PF6 (1) and [Cu(Et2NPhNO)3]PF6 (2); in 2 the copper atom is N-coordinated to the nitrosoarenes in a distorted trigonal planar geometry. Complex 1 is strongly implicated as a reactive intermediate in the Cu(I)-catalyzed allylic amination of olefins based on (i) its isolation from the catalytic reaction, (ii) its stoichiometric regioselective allylic amination of alpha-methyl styrene (AMS), (iii) the non-involvement of free PhNO in its amination of AMS, and (iv) its function as a catalyst for the amination of alkenes from phenylhydroxylamine. The reaction between AMS and 1 (80 degrees C, dioxane) is first order in both alkene and 1. Relative rate studies of the reaction of 1 with para substituted AMS derivatives gives a Hammett rho value of -0.035. Alkene adducts isolated from the reaction of 1 with styrene and alpha-methylstyrene are formulated as [(PhNO)3Cu(eta(2)-alkene)]PF6 (7,8) on the basis of spectroscopic characterization and thermolysis. PM3 and DFT MO calculations support the role of [(alkene)Cu(RNO)3]+ and (eta(1)- or eta(3)-allyl)Cu(RNO)2(RNHOH)+ complexes as probable catalytic intermediates and address the origin of the distinctive reaction regioselectivity. A mechanistic scheme is proposed which is consistent with the accumulated experimental and computational results.

Mechanistic Insight into the Aromatic Hydroxylation by High-Valent Iron(IV)-oxo Porphyrin π-Cation Radical Complexes

Mechanistic studies of the aromatic hydroxylation by high-valent iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin pi-cation radicals revealed that the aromatic oxidation involves an initial electrophilic attack on the pi-system of the aromatic ring to produce a tetrahedral radical or cationic sigma-complex. The mechanism was proposed on the basis of experimental results such as a large negative Hammett rho value and an inverse kinetic isotope effect. By carrying out isotope labeling studies, the oxygen in oxygenated products was found to derive from the iron-oxo porphyrin intermediates.

Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on Aromatic Hydroxylation by Mononuclear Nonheme Iron(IV)−Oxo Complexes

The hydroxylation of aromatic compounds by mononuclear nonheme iron(IV)-oxo complexes, [FeIV(Bn-tpen)(O)]2+ (Bn-tpen=N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) and [FeIV(N4Py)(O)]2+ (N4Py=N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), has been investigated by a combined experimental and theoretical approach. In the experimental work, we have performed kinetic studies of the oxidation of anthracene with nonheme iron(IV)-oxo complexes generated in situ, thereby determining kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, a Hammett rho value, and a kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value. A large negative Hammett rho value of -3.9 and an inverse KIE value of 0.9 indicate that the iron-oxo group attacks the aromatic ring via an electrophilic pathway. By carrying out isotope labeling experiments, the oxygen in oxygenated products was found to derive from the nonheme iron(IV)-oxo species. In the theoretical work, we have conducted density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the hydroxylation of benzene by [FeIV(N4Py)(O)]2+. The calculations show that the reaction proceeds via two-state reactivity patterns on competing triplet and quintet spin states via an initial rate determining electrophilic substitution step. In analogy to heme iron(IV)-oxo catalysts, the ligand is noninnocent and actively participates in the reaction mechanism by reshuttling a proton from the ipso position to the oxo group. Calculated kinetic isotope effects of C6H6 versus C6D6 confirm an inverse isotope effect for the electrophilic substitution pathway. Based on the experimental and theoretical results, we have concluded that the aromatic ring oxidation by mononuclear nonheme iron(IV)-oxo complexes does not occur via a hydrogen atom abstraction mechanism but involves an initial electrophilic attack on the pi-system of the aromatic ring to produce a tetrahedral radical or cationic sigma-complex.

Olefin Epoxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Lacunary Polyoxometalate [γ‐SiW10O34(H2O)2] 4‐.

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Olefin Epoxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Lacunary Polyoxometalate [γ‐SiW10O34(H2O)2]4−

The tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) salt of the divacant Keggin-type polyoxometalate [TBA](4)[gamma-SiW(10)O(34)(H(2)O)(2)] (I) catalyzes the oxygen-transfer reactions of olefins, allylic alcohols, and sulfides with 30 % aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The negative Hammett rho(+) (-0.99) for the competitive oxidation of p-substituted styrenes and the low value of (nucleophilic oxidation)/(total oxidation), X(SO)=0.04, for I-catalyzed oxidation of thianthrene 5-oxide (SSO) reveals that a strongly electrophilic oxidant species is formed on I. The preferential formation of trans-epoxide during epoxidation of 3-methyl-1-cyclohexene demonstrates the steric constraints of the active site of I. The I-catalyzed epoxidation proceeds with an induction period that disappears upon treatment of I with hydrogen peroxide. (29)Si and (183)W NMR spectroscopy and CSI mass spectrometry show that reaction of I with excess hydrogen peroxide leads to fast formation of a diperoxo species, [TBA](4)[gamma-SiW(10)O(32)(O(2))(2)] (II), with retention of a gamma-Keggin type structure. Whereas the isolated compound II is inactive for stoichiometric epoxidation of cyclooctene, epoxidation with II does proceed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The reaction of II with hydrogen peroxide would form a reactive species (III), and this step corresponds to the induction period observed in the catalytic epoxidation. The steric and electronic characters of III are the same as those for the catalytic epoxidation by I. Kinetic, spectroscopic, and mechanistic investigations show that the present epoxidation proceeds via III.

High-Throughput Physical Organic Chemistry Hammett Parameter Evaluation

High-throughput analysis techniques were developed to allow the rapid assessment of a range of Hammett parameters utilizing positive electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI+ -MS) as the sole quantitative tool, with the core of the approach being a so-called "analytical construct". Hammett substituent parameters were determined for a range of meta- and para-substituted anilines by high-throughput (HT) assessment of relative reaction rates for competitive amide bond formation reaction with up to five parameters determined in a single pot reaction. Sensitivity of the reaction to substituents' effects (materialized by Hammett's rho parameter) was determined in the first instance, with HT Hammett's sigma substituent parameter assessment then carried out successfully for over 30 anilines, with excellent correlation observed between the HT ESI+ -MS method of determination and literature values.

Elimination Reactions of N-Alkyl-N-chlorothenylamines Promoted by MeONa−MeOH and Et2NH−MeCN. Effect of the β-Aryl Group on the Imine-Forming Transition State

Elimination reactions of N-alkyl-N-chlorothenylamines 1-4 with MeONa-MeOH and Et(2)NH-MeCN have been studied kinetically. The elimination reactions are regiospecific, producing only the conjugated imines. The reactions are second order and exhibit substantial values of Hammett rho and k(H)/k(D), and an E2 mechanism is evident. The relative rates of elimination for Me/Et/i-Pr/t-Bu substituents are 1/0.5/0.2/0.02 with MeONa-MeOH and 1/0.4/0.2/0.06 with Et(2)NH-MeCN. The transition state structure changes toward more product-like as the base is changed from MeONa-MeOH to Et(2)NH-MeCN. Comparison with existing data reveals that the structure of the transition state is relatively insensitive to the beta-aryl group variation.

Borate‐Catalyzed Reactions of Hydrogen Peroxide: Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Organic Sulfides by Peroxoborates

The kinetics of the oxidation of substituted phenyl methyl sulfides by hydrogen peroxide in borate/boric acid buffers were investigated as a function of pH, total peroxide concentration, and total boron concentration. Second-order rate constants at 25 degrees C for the reaction of methyl 4-nitrophenyl sulfide and H(2)O(2), monoperoxoborate, HOOB(OH)(3) (-), or diperoxoborate, (HOO)(2)B(OH)(2) (-), are 8.29 x 10(-5), 1.51 x 10(-2) and 1.06 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Peroxoboric acid, HOOB(OH)(2), is unreactive. The Hammett rho values for the reactions of a range of substituted phenyl methyl sulfides and hydrogen peroxide, monoperoxoborate or diperoxoborate are -1.50 +/- 0.1, -0.65 +/- 0.07 and -0.48 (two points only), respectively. The rho values for the peroxoborates are of significantly lower magnitude than expected from their reactivity compared to other peroxides. Nevertheless the negative rho values indicate positive charge development on the sulfur atom in the transition state consistent with nucleophilic attack by the organic sulfides on the peroxoborates as with the other peroxides. The kinetic parameters, including the lack of reactivity of peroxoboric acid, are discussed in terms of the differences in the transition state of reactions involving peroxoboron species with respect to those of other peroxides.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Coupling Reactions of Arylamines with Ethylene and 1,3-Dienes: Mechanistic Insight on Hydroamination vs ortho-C−H Bond Activation

[reaction: see text]. The cationic ruthenium complex [(PCy3)2(CO)(Cl)Ru=CHCH=C(CH3)2]+BF4- was found to be an effective catalyst for the coupling reaction of aniline and ethylene to form a approximately 1:1 ratio of N-ethylaniline and 2-methylquinoline products. The analogous reaction with 1,3-dienes resulted in the preferential formation of Markovnikov addition products. The normal isotope effect of k(NH)/k(ND) = 2.2 (aniline and aniline-d7 at 80 degrees C) and the Hammett rho = -0.43 (correlation of para-substituted p-X-C6H4NH2) suggest an N-H bond activation rate-limiting step for the catalytic reaction.

NMR Spectrometric Studies of Complexation of [60]Fullerene with Series of Anisoles

Detailed (1)H and (13)C NMR spectrometric studies have been carried out to gain insight into the nature of molecular interactions of the electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes of [60]fullerene with a series of anisoles, namely, anisole, m-bromoanisole, and p-bromoanisole. [60]Fullerene has been shown to form 1:1 adducts with the above series of anisoles. Formation constants (K) for all the complexes have been determined from the systematic variation of the NMR chemical shifts of specific protons of the anisoles in the presence of [60]fullerene. The K values of [60]fullerene/anisole, [60]fullerene/m-bromoanisole, and [60]fullerene/ p-bromoanisole complexes yield good estimates of the Hammett rho constant for the complexation reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this paper reports for the first time a very fruitful technique by which the concentrations of EDA complexes can be estimated from systematic variations of the (13)C NMR signal.

DFT-PCM Studies of Solvent Effects on the Cross-Interaction Constants in Benzhydryl Cation and Anion Formation

The Hammett rho+ and rho- values have been determined by varying substituent Y' for a given Y in the benzhydryl cation and anion formation (YH4C6-CH-C6H4Y' where C is a cationic or an anionic center) at the RHF/3-21G, RHF/6-31G, RHF/6-31+G, and B3LYP/6-31+G levels. The failure of RHF theory in accounting for the stabilization by delocalization leads to the smaller magnitudes of rho+ and rho- with electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents, Y, respectively, than the corresponding DFT values. The effects of solvent (benzene, dichloroethane, and acetonitrile) on the rho values were calculated by applying the conductor polarizable continuum model method to the DFT results. Finally, the cross-interaction constants (rho(YY)') and their variation with solvent were determined. As the polarity (dielectric constant, epsilon) of the solvent is increased, the magnitude of rho+ and rho- decreased, whereas that of rho(YY)' increased. Satisfactory correlations were obtained between rho values (rho+, rho- and rho(YY)') and the Kirkwood function f(k) (= epsilon - 1/2epsilon + 1). The rho(YY)' values are negative with a magnitude greater for the anionic (rho(YY)'-) than the cationic (rho(YY)'+) system.

Elucidating the significance of beta-hydride elimination and the dynamic role of acid/base chemistry in a palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols.

The mechanistic details of aerobic alcohol oxidation with catalytic Pd(IiPr)(OAc)(2)(H(2)O) (IiPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) are disclosed. Under optimal conditions, beta-hydride elimination is rate-limiting supported by kinetic studies including a high primary kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value of 5.5 +/- 0.1 and a Hammett rho value of -0.48 +/- 0.04. On the basis of these studies, a late transition state is proposed for beta-hydride elimination, which is further corroborated by theoretical calculations using density functional theory. Additive acetic acid modulates the rates of both the alcohol oxidation sequence and regeneration of the Pd catalyst. With no additive [HOAc], turnover-limiting reprotonation of intermediate palladium peroxo is kinetically competitive with beta-hydride elimination, allowing for reversible oxygenation and decomposition of Pd(0). With additive [HOAc] (>2 mol %), reprotonation of the palladium peroxo is fast and beta-hydride elimination is the single rate-controlling step. This proposal is supported by an apparent decomposition pathway modulated by [HOAc], a change in alcohol concentration dependence, a lack of [O(2)] dependence at high [HOAc], and significant changes in the KIE values at different HOAc concentrations.

Remarkably Facile Solvolyses of Triflates via Carbocationic Processes in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

A number of triflates have been shown to undergo clean pseudo-first-order solvolysis reactions in DMSO-d(6) to give products derived from carbocationic intermediates. Thus, t-BuCH(OTf)CO-t-Bu (5) and t-BuCH(2)OTf (9) react readily in DMSO-d(6) at 25 degrees C to give a rearranged oxosulfonium salts, and subsequent alkene products where methyl migration to the incipient cationic center occurs. t-BuCH(OTf)CO(2)CH(3) (14) gives analogous rearranged products, and 1-methylcyclopropyl triflate (21) gives a ring-opened allylic oxosulfonium salt. These triflates react primarily via k(Delta) pathways. 6-Methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-6-yl triflate (23), bicyclo[2.2.1hept-1-yl triflate (24), 1,6-methano[10]annulen-11-yl triflate (25), (CH(3))(2)C(OTf)CO(2)CH(3) (26), and (CH(3))(2)CCN(OTf) (29) all react in DMSO-d(6) to give carbocation-derived products. PhCH(OTf)CF(3) (33) and substituted analogues also react readily in DMSO-d(6), and the Hammett rho(+) value is -3.7. This suggests a "borderline" mechanism where the transition state has substantial charge development. The primary feature of these solvolyses is the high reactivity of all of these triflates in DMSO-d(6). Thus, these triflates are all more reactive in DMSO-d(6) than in HOAc, and for most, rates are faster than in CF(3)CH(2)OH. Triflates 5, 21, 29, and 33 are 10(8)-10(9) times more reactive in DMSO-d(6) than the corresponding mesylates. It is suggested that the decreased need for electrophilic solvation of triflate anion, and the high cation solvating ability of DMSO, are the reasons for the high triflate reactivity in DMSO-d(6).

Oxygen activation by nonheme iron(II) complexes: alpha-keto carboxylate versus carboxylate.

Mononuclear iron(II) alpha-keto carboxylate and carboxylate compounds of the sterically hindered tridentate face-capping ligand Tp(Ph2) (Tp(Ph2) = hydrotris(3,5-diphenylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) were prepared as models for the active sites of nonheme iron oxygenases. The structures of an aliphatic alpha-keto carboxylate complex, [Fe(II)(Tp(Ph2))(O(2)CC(O)CH(3))], and the carboxylate complexes [Fe(II)(Tp(Ph2))(OBz)] and [Fe(II)(Tp(Ph2))(OAc)(3,5-Ph(2)pzH)] were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, all of which have five-coordinate iron centers. Both the alpha-keto carboxylate and the carboxylate compounds react with dioxygen resulting in the hydroxylation of a single ortho phenyl position of the Tp(Ph2) ligand. The oxygenation products were characterized spectroscopically, and the structure of the octahedral iron(III) phenolate product [Fe(III)(Tp(Ph2))(OAc)(3,5-Ph(2)pzH)] was established by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of the alpha-keto carboxylate model compounds with oxygen to produce the phenolate product occurs with concomitant oxidative decarboxylation of the alpha-keto acid. Isotope labeling studies show that (18)O(2) ends up in the Tp(Ph2) phenolate oxygen and the carboxylate derived from the alpha-keto acid. The isotope incorporation mirrors the dioxygenase nature of the enzymatic systems. Parallel studies on the carboxylate complexes demonstrate that the oxygen in the hydroxylated ligand is also derived from molecular oxygen. The oxygenation of the benzoylformate complex is demonstrated to be first order in metal complex and dioxygen, with activation parameters DeltaH++ = 25 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = -179 +/- 6 J mol(-1) K(-1). The rate of appearance of the iron(III) phenolate product is sensitive to the nature of the substituent on the benzoylformate ligand, exhibiting a Hammett rho value of +1.3 indicative of a nucleophilic mechanism. The proposed reaction mechanism involves dioxygen binding to produce an iron(III) superoxide species, nucleophilic attack of the superoxide at the alpha-keto functionality, and oxidative decarboxylation of the adduct to afford the oxidizing species that attacks the Tp(Ph2) phenyl ring. Interestingly, the alpha-keto carboxylate complexes react 2 orders of magnitude faster than the carboxylate complexes, thus emphasizing the key role that the alpha-keto functionality plays in oxygen activation by alpha-keto acid-dependent iron enzymes.

Mechanistic investigations of the palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols using (-)-sparteine.

The mechanistic details of the Pd(II)/(-)-sparteine-catalyzed aerobic oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols were elucidated, and the origin of asymmetric induction was determined. Saturation kinetics were observed for rate dependence on [(-)-sparteine]. First-order rate dependencies were observed for both the Pd((-)-sparteine)Cl(2) concentration and the alcohol concentration at high and low [(-)-sparteine]. The oxidation rate was inhibited by addition of (-)-sparteine HCl. At low [(-)-sparteine], Pd-alkoxide formation is proposed to be rate limiting, while at high [(-)-sparteine], beta-hydride elimination is proposed to be rate determining. These conclusions are consistent with the measured kinetic isotope effect of k(H)/k(D) = 1.31 +/- 0.04 and a Hammett rho value of -1.41 +/- 0.15 at high [(-)-sparteine]. Calculated activation parameters agree with the change in the rate-limiting step by increasing [(-)-sparteine] with DeltaH(++) = 11.55 +/- 0.65 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = -24.5 +/- 2.0 eu at low [(-)-sparteine], and DeltaH(++) = 20.25 +/- 0.89 kcal/mol, DeltaS() = -5.4 +/- 2.7 eu at high [(-)-sparteine]. At high [(-)-sparteine], the selectivity is influenced by both a thermodynamic difference in the stability of the diastereomeric Pd-alkoxides formed and a kinetic beta-hydride elimination to maximize asymmetric induction. At low [(-)-sparteine], the selectivity is influenced by kinetic deprotonation, resulting in lower k(rel) values. A key, nonintuitive discovery is that (-)-sparteine plays a dual role in this oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols as a chiral ligand on palladium and as an exogenous chiral base.

High Brønsted beta nuc values in SNAr displacement. An indicator of the SET pathway?

Nucleophilic substitutions of 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl) and 3-methyl-1-(4-nitrobenzofurazanyl)-imidazolium ions (NBD-Im+) with a series of 4-X-substituted anilines have been kinetically investigated in 70-30 (v/v) and 20-80 (v/v) H2O-Me2SO mixtures. The rate-limiting step in these reactions is nucleophilic addition with formation of Meisenheimer-type sigma-adducts followed by fast expulsion of the leaving group (Cl- or Im). The reactions are characterized by a notable sensitivity to basicity of the aniline nucleophiles, with Hammett rho values of -2.68 and -3.82 in 30% and 80% Me2SO, respectively, for NBD-Cl and even more negative values, -3.43 and -5.27, respectively, for NBD-Im+. This is consistent with significant development of positive charge at the nitrogen atom of the zwitterionic sigma-adduct. Unexpectedly, the Brønsted-type plots reveal abnormally high beta nuc values, ca. 1.0 and 1.3-1.4, respectively. Satisfactory correlations between the rates of the reactions and the oxidation potentials of the respective anilines support a SET mechanism for this process, i.e. initial (fast) electron-transfer from the aniline donor to the nitrobenzofurazan acceptor moiety and subsequent (slow) coupling of the resulting cation and anion radicals within the solvent cage with formation of the sigma-adduct. An alternative possible explanation of the high beta nuc values being related to the strong--I effect exerted by the negatively charged 4-nitrobenzofurazanyl structure, which would induce a greater positive charge at the developing anilinium nitrogen atom in the sigma-adduct-like transition state as compared with the situation in the reference protonation equilibria of anilines, is considered less probable. It is thus proposed that obtention of abnormal beta nuc values may be an indicator of electron-transfer in nucleophilic aromatic substitution and highlights the transition from the polar (SNAr) to the single electron-transfer (SET) mechanism.