Abstract The rate constants for the reactions of 4-halomethyl-3-nitrobenzoic acids, the nonnitro derivatives, and their ethyl esters with arylthiolates were measured at different temperatures. It was found that the retardation in rate constants compared to benzyl halides is due to the electrostatic repulsion between the electronegative substituents (COO− and/or NO 2) in the substrates and thiolate ions. Good correlations between log k 2 values of the ...