Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Dimethyl Malonate and Diethyl Malonate by Chromic Acid in the Presence and Absence of Oxalic Acid in Acetic Acid-Water Medium

Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation of esters by chromic acid has been investigated in acetic acid-water mixtures in the presence and absence of oxalic acid. In the absence of oxalic acid, the reaction is overall second order, first order in each reactant. The reaction rates are independent of the added salts, while in the presence of oxalic acid the rate of oxidation increases. The products are identified and activation parameters have been calculated.