The nucleophilic cleavage of substituted benzyltrimethyl-silanes in
DMSO-H2O media using tetraalkylammonium fluoride, TAAF, has been
studied. The observed rate constants, pseudo first order rate constants,
activation, and thermodynamic parameters have been reported. A
mechanism for such cleavage has been proposed. The results fit well
Hammett equation. The reaction constant, p, value of (6.7) has been
reported. The p value is consistent with a substantial negative charge
developing in the transition state.