Rates in the SN2 and E2 reactions of a series of β-substituted ethyl chloride (RCH2CH2Cl, R=Et, MeO, PhO, Gl, and H) in aqueous solutions have been measured at temperatures ranging from 90 to 150°C, using sodium acetate as a nucleophile. The mild rate-retarding effect of β-subtituents in the SN2 reactions, observed in the rate order, H>Et>MeO>Cl>PhO, may be attributed to the steric effects. In a similar fashion, the retardation of E2 reaction rates by the β-substituents, which is in the rate sequence H>MeO>Et>PhO>Cl, may be ascribed to the steric effects, which outweigh the electronic effects. The β-substituent effects of several other substituents, which are known in the literature, have also been discussed.

(n=1-4), with sodium acetate have been measured in 50 vol% aqueous acetone in the range rate of chloride-ion liberation. From the k2 values, i, e., kSN2+kE2, and the olefin percentage in the products, which was determined by measuring the rate of acetic acid formation, the SN2 rate constant, kSN2, and the E2 rate constant, kE2, for each chloride have been calculated. For purposes of comparison, the ksN2 and kE2 values for n-alkyl chlorides, C,,H2n+1Cl(n=1-4