Correlation of thione-to-thiol rearrangement rates of xanthates with solvent scales. Analysis of the reaction behavior by the Kamlet-Taft parameters, , α and β
O-(2-methylthioethyl) (1e) S-methyl xanthates were analyzed by the Kamlet-Taft equation. The results indicate that solvent polarity and solvent hydrogen-bond donation ability (acidity) are operative in the thione-to-thiol rearrangement reactions. In the case of 1e, the reaction is found to be influenced by solvent acidity and retarded by the increase of the solvent polarity.