Reaction kinetics of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

The reaction rates were determined at 25 and 37° of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) with a number of nucleophiles in water. The rate of the primary reaction step was dependent on the nucleophilicity and the basicity of the attacking nucleophile. The relative rates of reaction of the alkylating intermediate with different nucleophiles were determined and the Swain-Scott substrate constants s were estimated.The rate data are used to discern a connection between chemical reactivity and biological action.