Abstract
Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of Z-thiophenyl acetates with X-benzylamines are investigated in acetonitrile at 45.0 ℃. The magnitudes of Bronsted coefficients β$_x$ (=1.3~-1.6) and β$_z$ (= -2.1~-2.4) are all large and cross-interaction constant ρxz is relatively large and positive (0.90). These trends are consistent with the rate-limiting breakdown of a tetrahedral intermediate, $T^±$. The proposed mechanism is also supported by adherence of the rate data to the reactivity-selectivity principle (RSP). The kinetic isotope effects, $k_H/k_D$, are greater than unity (1.3-1.4) suggesting a possibility of hydrogen-bonded four-centered transition state. The activation parameters, ΔH$^≠$ and ΔS$^≠$, are consistent with this transition-state structure.