Periodate Oxidation of Aromatic Amines: Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of N-Ethylaniline in Acetone Water Medium

Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation of N-etbylaniline by periodate in
acetone-water medium. has been studied. The order with respect to
both periodate and N-ethylaniline has been found to be one in each.
The rate increases marginally on increasing ionic strength while it
decreases with a decrease in dielectric constant. The rate-pH proflle
shows a maxima at pH 5.5. An interpretation for it has been given.
There is no effect of free radical scavengen on rate of reaction. The
thermodynamic parameters are also reported and discussed. The
main product of oxidation characterized by UV-VIS and IR spectra
and melting point studies was p-benzoquinone. A suitable
mechanism has been proposed and the rate law derived.