The kinetics and mechanism of the anilinolysis (XC6H4NH2) of dithio esters, RC (S) SC6H4Z with R= C2H5 and C6H5CH2 are investigated in acetonitrile at 45.0° C. By application of various structure–reactivity correlations, selectivity parameters ρX, βX, ρZ, βZ and ρXZ are determined. The reactions are predicted to proceed stepwise with rate-limiting expulsion of the ArS− group. The dithio ester with R= C2H5 exhibits the fastest rate and ...