Heat capacity of activation for the hydrolysis of methanesulfonyl chloride and benzenesulfonyl chloride in light and heavy water
Rates of solvolysis of methanesulfonyl chloride and benzenesulfonyl chloride have been determined in H2O and D2O. The free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity of activation were calculated. The exceptional accuracy of the data permitted an estimation of dΔCp≠/dT from a four parameter temperature dependence of the kinetic rates.From these data we conclude that both sulfonyl chlorides hydrolyse by the same mechanism (Sn2) The change in R from CH3 to C6H5 in RSO2Cl did not alter ΔCp≠ but ΔS≠ (20°) was changed from −8.32 to −13.25 cal deg−1 mole−1, respectively. The significance of this difference is attributed to the probability of bond formation rather than to differences in solvent reorganization.