Substituents in aromatic substitutions

Hammett, after illustrating the existence of linear relationships among the data for a variety of side-chain reactions, defined the (7-constants to characterize the behavior of substituent groups. In the application of the Hammett equation the cr-parameters are assumed to be constant. The assessment of the validity of this same assumption for substituents in aromatic substitution reactions is the major problem which must be considered prior to the adoption of a simple two-parameter linear free-energy relationship for these reactions. Preliminary evaluations of linear relationships were undertaken through somewhat modified procedures as discussed in Section IV. Now, however, with many quantitative data available it is no longer necessary to rely on the less direct Selectivity Relationship. Rather, the more straightforward conventional Hammett approach is applicable. This procedure requires the adoption of the a1 -constants derived from the study of substituted phenyldimethylcarbinyl chlorides and the assumption of constancy of the values. This assumption is shown to be fully justified in subsequent tests of the relationship. 

In summary, the data for a wide range of activating and deactivating substituents in aromatic substitution reactions involving the replacement of hydrogen or other metalloid groups are correlated with truly remarkable accuracy by the o-+-parameters. 

The historical introduction in Reference 5 summarizes some early work on directing effects of substituents in aromatic substitution. 

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