Abstract: The solvolysis rates (50% ethanol) of 2-adamantyl tresylate (la-OTres, Tres= CF $ HzSO*-) and deactivated substrates 1-carbomethoxy (Ig-OTres) and 1-cyano-2-adamantyl tresylate (lh-OTres) are correlated with u* constants by a straight line of slope p*=-4.09 (r= 0.9986) at 25 OC. A small amount (6%) of rearranged product is obtained from lg, while lh gives 38% rearranged product (for which the'8-cyano-4-exo-protoadamantanol structure is ...