SummaryThe pK: values for nine acyclic, mono-and bicyclic a-, p-and y-(trimethy1)ammonio acids, 1 (a-y), 2 (a-y) and 3 (u-y), respectively, have been measured in 50% aqueous ethanol. The comparison of these values with those for the nine homomorphous a-, p-and y-acids, 4(a-y), 5(a-y) and 6(a-y), respectively, permits an evaluation of the steric effect of the (trimethy1)ammonio groups which is superimposed on their polar effect in the former acids. The pKl values, corrected for the steric effect, correlate very well with the reciprocal distance between the positive nitrogen atom and the dissociable proton. This confirms our earlier conclusion that the strength of these acids is determined by the field effect of the (trimethy1)ammonio groups only, the inductive model failing to account for the results. The distinction between two different transmission mechanisms for the polar effect therefore becomes unnecessary, the inductive model appearing as an atomistic description of the field effect.One of the prominent effects which determine the reactivity of organic molecules can be traced to the presence of charged or polar substituents. It is, therefore, of electrostatic origin and referred to as the polar effect. Two modes of transmission of this effect are usually distinguished, namely through the intervening bonds and atoms and directly through space or solvent [ 11. According to the former inductive model the substituent effect is propagated by successive polarization of bonds, the magnitude of the effect depending on the length and number of chains. The direct or field effect, however, is dependent on the distance and orientation of the substituent with respect to the reaction center. This dichotomy of transmission mechanisms for the polar effect appears to stem from the notion, clearly stated by Ingold [ 11, that the inductive effect is transmitted internally, i. e. through the molecule and that the field effect is transmitted externally, i.e. through the space immediately enveloping the molecule. In practice it is extremely difficult to distinguish between these two modes of transmission, the relative importance of which is still under dispute').') For reviews see [2].