A Comprehensive Kinetic Study of Acid-catalysed o-Cresol — Acetone Reaction

Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007

Manuscript received 6 July 1987, revised 11 May 1988, accepted 12 October 1988

The kinetics of the reaction between o-cresol and acetone was studied at 30, 35, 40 and 45 ± 0.05° in 100% benzene. The different hydrochloric acid concentrations used were 0.0176, 0 0314, 0.0512 and 0.0727 M. The reaction was investigated with and without a promoter thioglycollic acid and taking into account the functionality (n) of o-cresol. The reaction was found to follow second order rate law and the rate of the reaction was found to increase with an increase in catalyst concentration. The activa­tion parameters for the overall reactions have been calculated. The reaction was investigated in various solvents like benzene, chlorobenzene and methanol. The over­all rate constant was resolved into step rate constants. The results have been com­pared with those of o-cresol — formaldehyde reaction.