Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Aromatic Aldehydes by N-Chloronicotinamide in Aqueous Acetic Acid Medium

Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation of aromatic aldehydes by N-chloronicotinamide (NCN) have been studied in 90% acetic acid-water mixture. The reaction is first order each in [NCN] and [aldehyde] and [H⁺]; with an increase in the amount of acetic acid in its aqueous mixture, the rate increases. The reaction does not induce polymerisation of acrylonitrile. Electron donating groups accelerate the rate while electron withdrawing groups decrease the rate. The reaction rates have been studied at different temperatures and the activation parameters calculated. A mechanism in accordance with kinetic data has been proposed.