Article
The rates of proton transfer reactions between C-acids of different types such as 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-nitroalkanes, 4-nitrophenylcyanomethanes, and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, and organic bases such as 1,1,3,3-tetrametylguanidine, 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (MTBD), and tri-n-butylamine have been measured in acetonitrile at pseudo-first-order conditions. A general equation for the rates of proton transfer reactions between C-acids and bases with product existing in two forms, ions and ion pairs, has been derived and its applicability tested. The equation works well except for reactions of 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-nitroalkanes with guanidines for which the second-order rate constant is diminished with concentration of guanidinium cation, while tetrabutylammonium salts accelerate the reactions. Possible reasons for this are discussed.Key words: proton transfer, kinetic study, ion pairs, C-acids, organic bases, acetonitrile, salt effect.