THE EFFECTS OF ALPHA-SUBSTITUENTS ON THE KINETIC AND THERMODYNAMIC STABILITY OF 4-METHOXYBENZYL CARBOCATIONS - CARBOCATION LIFETIMES THAT ARE INDEPENDENT OF THEIR THERMODYNAMIC STABILITY

The following new rate constants for reaction of alpha-substituted 4-methoxybenzyl carbocations, 4-MeOC6H4CR1(R2)+, With a solvent of 50:50 (v/v) trifluoroethanol/water at 25-degrees-C and ionic strength 0.50 (NaClO4) are reported: 4-MeOC6H4CH(OMe)+, k(S) = 2.2 X 10(7) s-1; 4-MeOC6H4CH(N3)+, k(S) = 3.3 X 10(5) s-1; 4-MeOC6H4C(CH3)2+, k(S) = 1.3 x 10(7) s-1; 4-MeOC6H4CH(CO2Et)+, k(S) = 1.4 X 10(7) s-1; 4-MeOC6H4CCH3(CF3)+, k(S) = 2.5 x 10(7) s-1. The values of k(S) for reaction of 4-MeOC6H4CR1(R2)+ with 50:50 (v/v) trifluoroethanol/water are nearly independent of very large changes in the thermodynamic stability of these carbocations caused by the addition of a wide range of electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups at the alpha-position. In the most extreme case, the change from an alpha-methoxy to two alpha-(trifluoromethyl) substituents leads to a 23 kcal/mol thermodynamic destabilization of 4-MeOCrH4CR1(R2)+ relative to the neutral azide ion adducts but a 5-fold decrease in its reactivity toward solvent. The data show that the effects of alpha-substituents on the kinetic stability of 4-MeOC6H4CR1(R2)+ are complex and do not parallel the thermodynamic stability of these carbocations. The results are explained by consideration of the polar and resonance effects of the alpha-substituents on both the thermodynamic driving force and the intrinsic barrier for capture of the carbocations by solvent. These reactions are a new example of the consequences of the ''principle of nonperfect synchronization''.41