partial rate factor

The rate of substitution at one specific site in an aromatic compound relative to the rate of substitution at one position in benzene. For example, the partial rate factor $f p Z$ for para-substitution in a monosubstituted benzene C₆H₅Z is related to the rate constants $k C 6 H 5 Z$ and $k C 6 H 6$ for the total reaction (i.e. at all positions) of C₆H₅Z and benzene, respectively, and % para (the percentage para-substitution in the total product formed from C₆H₅Z) by the relation:

$f p Z = 6 k C 6 H 5 Z k C 6 H 6 % para 100$

Similarly for meta-substitution:

$f m Z = 6 k C 6 H 5 Z 2 k C 6 H 6 % meta 100$

(The symbols $p f Z$ , $m f Z$ , $o f Z$ are also in use.) The term applies equally to the ipso position, and it can be extended to other substituted substrates undergoing parallel reactions at different sites with the same reagent according to the same rate law.