The electrophilic substituent constant sigma(+) was derived from the relative rate constants of the solvolysis of substituted alpha-cumyl chlorides in an acetone/water solvent mixture in the original work by Brown and Okamoto (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1958, 80, 4979). As an extension of this procedure, we were looking for methods to determine sigma(+) values in nonpolar media. We have calculated the exocyclic charges q(R) for alpha-cumyl cations (R-C(6)H(4)CMe(2)(+)) as a measure of the electron-donating capacity of meta and para substituents. The UV-vis absorption nu(max) of the analogously substituted nitrobenzene derivatives has been used for the experimental measurement of the electron donating capacity of substituents R in nonpolar media. A linear relationship between nu(max) and Deltaq(R) (= q(R-C(6)H(4)CMe(2)(+)) - q(C(6)H(5)CMe(2)(+))) was obtained. A description of the electron-donating capacity in nonpolar media can be achieved both for substituents investigated already and for those for which the experimental determination of sigma(+) has previously been difficult. Special interest was directed to boron-based substituents in which the electron-donating ability is dependent on the coordinational environment of the boron atom.