The first-order rate constants and activation parameters for the hydrolysis of benzenesulfonyl chloride have been measured in 10 organic solvents. The reaction was followed by conductance measurements. The analysis of medium effects by the more usual multiparameter approaches indicated that polarity, polarizability and electrophilicity of the solvents are responsible for the observed reactivity. The influence of solvent variation on reaction rate has also been discussed in terms of changes in the activation parameters.