It is, of course, possible that the accelerated rate of solvolysis of 5 is the result of complex formation between 5 and silver ion, and we are now studying this possibility. The complete absence of any observable reaction between Ag+ and 2-chloro-3, 3-dimethy1-1-butene, however, is evidence against a specific silver ion catalysis. We therefore interpret the foregoing observations, at present, in terms of the formation of an intermediate vinyl cation ...
