Abstract
Photochemical and thermal solvolysis of 2,3,4-picolyl chlorides (2,3,4-PC) were studied in amine solvents and the results were correlated with the electronic structures calculated by PPP-SCF-MO CI method. Activation parameters show that the thermal solvolysis of PC is $S_N2$ type rcaction. The rates of thermal reaction in pyridine or t-butylamine solvent decrease in the order of 2-PC > 3-PC > 4-PC. These results are consistent with the predictions based on the electron densities of picolyl chlorides. In photosolvolysis, the same products as those of thermal reactions were obtained. The results indicate that photochemical solvolysis undergoes through heterolytic cleavage. Relative quantum yields of photosolvolysis of 2,3,4-picolyl chlorides in t-butylamine solvent were determined to be 0.73, 1, and 0.50 respectively. These results are in good agreement with the electron densities of the excited triplet state of picolyl chlorides.