Kinetics and Mechanism of the Benzylaminolysis of O,O-Dimethyl S-Aryl Phosphorothioates in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Kinetic studies of the reactions of O,O-dimethyl Z-S-aryl phosphorothioates with X-benzylamines have been carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide at $85.0^{\circ}C$. The Hammett (log $k_2$ vs ${\sigma}_X$) and Br$\ddot{o}$nsted [log $k_2$ vs $pK_a$(X)] plots for substituent X variations in the nucleophiles are discrete with a break region between 4-Me and H, while the Hammett plots (log $k_2$ vs ${\sigma}_Z$) for substituent Z variations in the leaving groups are linear. The sign of the cross-interaction constant (${\rho}_{XZ}$) is positive for both the strongly and weakly basic nucleophiles. Greater magnitude of ${\rho}_{XZ}$ (= 2.54) value is observed with the weakly basic nucleophiles compared to with the strongly basic nucleophiles (${\rho}_{XZ}$ = 0.17). The deuterium kinetic isotope effects ($k_H/k_D$) involving deuterated benzylamines [$XC_6H_4CH_2ND_2$] are primary normal ($k_H/k_D$ > 1). The proposed mechanism is a stepwise with a rate-limiting leaving group expulsion from the intermediate involving a frontside nucleophilic attack with a hydrogen bonded, four-center-type transition state for both the strongly and weakly basic nucleophiles.