The α-Effect in the Chemistry of Organic Compounds

The anomalously high reactivity of compounds with one or several lone electron pairs at the atom adjoining the reaction centre (the α-effect) is discussed in relation to reactions involving nucleophilic substitution at the carbon atom in various valence states. The manifestation of the α-effect is noted for nucleophilic addition to a carbon atom; other examples of the α-effect in the chemistry of organic compounds are quoted. The possible causes of the effect are discussed, and a quantitative estimate of the latter is made.
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