Abstract: The rate constants for the HO-catalyzed hydrolysis and aminolysis (by six amines) of nine a-substituted phenyl acetates and four P-substituted phenyl propionates have been determined. Of the esters all but the a-cyanoacetate and P-nitropropionate followed the rate law u= ko=[HO-][ester] for alkaline hydrolysis. The pH-log kobsd profiles for the a- cyanoacetate and P-nitropropionate esters establish the formation of carbanions which ...
