Dielectric Constant

Definition of Dielectric Constant:

• Dielectric Constant Measure of a solvent’s polarity.
• High dielectric constant = high polarity (e.g., water = 80).

Effect:

• High ε (e.g., water) stabilizes ionic species and may increase or decrease the rate depending on the mechanism.
• Solvents with low dielectric constants may:
  • Promote neutral or non-ionic pathways
  • Inhibit ionization-dependent reactions
• For ionic reactions, lower dielectric constants reduce rate

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