Kinetics of the Base·Catalysed Condensation of Acetophenone with Benzaldehydes : A Quantitative Separation of Inductive, Resonance and Steric Effects

The rate of base-catalysed condensation of acetophenone with substituted benzaldehydes has been studied in 90% alcohol. The reaction was first-order in each component. The Arrhenius parameters have been discussed. The applicability of Hammett equation has been studied. A quantitatiye separation of the inductive, resonance and steric effects has been attempted. The mechanism has been discussed.