Substituent Effects on the Basicity of ortho-, meta- and para-substituted N1,N1-Dimethyl-N2-phenylformamidines in Ethanol and in Water

The relative δpKa values of ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted N1,N1-dimethyl-N2-phenylformamidines obtained in 95.6% aqueous ethanol have been compared with those in water. The comparison shows only some differences in the ortho substituent effects. The meta and para substituent effects in ethanol are not very different from those in water. Quantitative analysis of the experimental δpKa values based on the Taft equation has led to separation of the total electromeric effects into the inductive and mesomeric effects. As compared to the amino group in anilines, the formamidine group is more sensitive to the transmission of the inductive than the mesomeric effects.