Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of benzyl ethers by N-chloronicotinamide in aqueous acetic acid medium

Department of Chemistry, St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli-620 002, Tamilnadu, India

E-mail : sjcmathi@yahoo.co.uk

Department of Chemistry, Holy Cross College, Tiruchirapalli-620 002, Tamilnadu, India

E-mail : priya_773@rediffmail.com

Manuscript received 22 May 2008, revised 10 November 2008, accepted 19 December 2008

Kinetics of oxidation of benzyl ethers by N-chloronicotinamide (NCN) in aqueous acetic acid medium have been investigated by potentiometric method. The observed rate of oxidation Is first order in both [NCN] and [benzyl ethers). An increase In the dielectric constant of the medium increases the rate. Addition of nicotinamide (NA), the reduction product of NCN, have a negligible effect on the rate of oxidation. A small increase in the rate is observed with increase in [HCIO₄] and [NaCI]. Benzaldehyde is identified as the major product of oxidation.