Edwards equation

The Edwards equation in organic chemistry is a two-parameter equation for correlating nucleophilic reactivity, as defined by relative rate constants, with the basicity of the nucleophile (relative to protons) and its polarizability. This equation was first developed by John O. Edwards in 1954[1] and later revised based on additional work in 1956.[2]

The general idea is that most nucleophiles are also good bases because the concentration of negatively charged electron density that defines a nucleophile will strongly attract positively charged protons, which is the definition of a base according to Brønsted–Lowry acid-base theory. Additionally, highly polarizable nucleophiles will have greater nucleophilic character than suggested by their basicity because their electron density can be shifted with relative ease to concentrate in one area.

  1. ^ Edwards, J.O. (1954). "Correlation of Relative Rates and Equilibria with a Double Basicity Scale". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 76 (6): 1540–1547. doi:10.1021/ja01635a021.
  2. ^ Edwards, J.O. (1956). "Polarizability, Basicity and Nucleophilic Character". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 78 (9): 1819–1820. doi:10.1021/ja01590a012.