SULPHONIUM SALT SOLVOLYSIS: PART III. NUCLEOPHILIC ROLE OF ANIONS IN SOLVOLYSIS OF DIMETHYL-t-BUTYL SULPHONIUM SALTS

Abstract

The effect of variation of added anion type (I⁻, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, ClO₄⁻, CH₃COO⁻) on the kinetics of solvolysis of dimethyl-t-butyl sulphonium ions is interpreted as evidence supporting a nucleophilic role for the anion in low-polarity solvents. The specific case of acetate is discussed in terms of its relation to biochemical transmethylation reactions involving methionine.