The rate constants for the reaction of 2,6‐bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)‐4‐nitroanisole with some substituted anilines have been measured by spectrophotometric methods in methanol at various temperatures. The data are consistent with the S_NAr mechanism. The effect of substituents on the rate of reaction has been examined. Good linear relationships were obtained from the plots of log k₁ against Hammett σ_para constants values at all temperature with negative ρ values (−1.68 to −1.11). Activation parameters Δ^≠H varied from 41.6 to 54.3 kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ^≠S from −142.7 to −114.6 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The δΔ^≠H and δΔ^≠S reaction constants were determined from the dependence of Δ^≠H and Δ^≠S activation parameters on the σ substituent constants, by analogy with the Hammett equation. A plot of Δ^≠H versus Δ^≠S for the reaction gave good straight line with 177°C isokinetic temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 203–210, 2010