The alkaline hydrolysis rate constants at, 3s” in 40% aqueous p-dioxane and the nmr chemical shifts have been measured for nine thiolacetates, CH&OSR', nine methyl thiol esters, RCOSCH3, and seven disubstituted thiol esters, RCOSIt'. Alkaline hydrolysis rate constants are controlled almost exclusively by steric effects of the R and R'groups. The nmr substituent chemical shifts (SCS) of thiol esters are Controlled largely by steric and six- ...