A Comparative Study on the Kinetics of Oxidation of Some Secondary Alcohols By 1-Chloroben otriazole and Pyridinium Dichromate

Abstract

The rates of reaction of 2-propanol (PRL), phenyl methyl carbinol (PMC) and diphenylcarbinol (DPC) with the oxidants, 1-chlorobenzotriazole(CBT) and pyridinium dichromate have been measured at 308, 313 and 318 K in acetic acid-water mixtures. In both the cases of study the order of the reaction is found to be one each with respect to oxidant and substrate and decreases of dielectric constant favours the rate, while variation of ironic strength and H⁺ shows dissimilar observation. Suitable mechanisms and rate laws have been proposed for both the cases. An attempt has been made to explain the order of reactivity of this group of alcohols in the light of observed effects. The order of reactivity DPC > PMC > PRL is explained in the light of combined electron releasing effect and the steric strain.