What is hammett plot?

The Hammett plot is a graph used in physical organic chemistry to study the relationship between the rate of a chemical reaction and the electronic nature of substituents on a molecule. It was developed by the American chemist and detective novelist Dashiell Hammett in the 1930s.

The plot is based on the principle that the rate of a reaction can be influenced by the electronic nature of substituents on a molecule, which in turn affects the stability of reaction intermediates. By measuring the rate of a reaction for a series of related compounds with different substituents and plotting the logarithm of the rate constant against the electronic parameter of the substituents (usually the Hammett constant), a linear relationship can be observed.

The Hammett plot is commonly used to study the mechanism of reactions, predict the outcome of reactions with new substrates, and design new reactions with desired properties. It has been applied to a wide range of reactions, including electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic substitution, and acid-base reactions.

Overall, the Hammett plot provides valuable insights into how electronic effects influence the reactivity of organic molecules, making it an important tool for chemists studying reaction mechanisms and designing new reactions.