Benzonorbornenyl-1-carbinyl tosylate (1) is investigated as a possible model for a non-? r- participatory neophyl system. Its solvolysis compared with that of the nonbenzo analog 9 is retarded 47-fold in acetic acid at 133'and 14-fold in 80% acetone at 25'. No evidence for anchimeric assistance by the aromatic ring was found. Under the vigorous conditions of refluxing hydrobromic acid containing zinc bromide, benzonorbornenyl-lcarbinol (8) still ...
