Cross-interaction Constants in the Nucleophilic Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds Involving a Tetrahedral Intermediate

Cross-interaction constants, ${\rho}^e_{XY}$, ${\rho}_{YZ}$ and ${\rho}_{XZ}$ are defined using observed rate constant, k_N=(k_1/k_{-1})k_2=Kk_2$, for the stepwise carbonyl addition reactions involving the rate-limiting breakdown of a tetrahedral intermediate $(T^{\pm})$. Abundant experimental evidence in the literature enables us to determine signs for the three constants for such mechanism, ${\rho}^e_{XY}$>0, ${\rho}_{YZ}$<0 and ${\rho}_{XZ}$0. These are in contrast to those for the concerted $S_N2$ mechanism, ${\rho}_{XY}$<0, ${\rho}_{YZ}$>0 and ${\rho}_{XZ}$, and provide useful mechanistic criteria. In the light of these criteria, mechanisms of some nucleophilic reactions of carbonyl compounds are re-examined.