Kinetics of Oxidative Decarboxylation of Benzilic acid by N-Bromosaccharin

Department of Chemistry, Govt. Science College, Bewa-486 001
Manuscript received 28 September 1984, revised 12 March 1986, accepted 8 May 1986

Kinetics of oxidative decarboxylation of benzilic acid by N-bromosaccharin in binary solvent mixture of acetic acid-water in the presence of mercuric acetate has been investigated. The reaction is first order in oxidant and fractional order in subs­trate. Increase in [H+] increases the rate. Addition of sodium perchlorate, sodium sulphate and sodium acetate accelerates the rate whereas saccharin shows retarding effect. Activation parameters are evaluated and probable mechanism involving 1 : 1 complex formation is suggested.