Oxidation of Benzhydrol by Tetrabutylammoniumbromochromate in Presence and Absence of Picolinic Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline: A Kinetic Study

Abstract

The oxidation of benzhydrol (BH) by tetrabutylammoniumbromochromate (TBABC) was studied in aqueous acetic acid medium. The reaction is first order with respect to tetrabutylammoniumbromochromate, benzhydrol and [H⁺] and the reaction is catalyzed by hydrogen ions. The reaction has been studied in the presence of picolinic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline as promoters. The promoters used in this oxidation reaction, picolinic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline are strong chelating ligands which form complexes with most transition metal ions. Among the two promoters oxidation is much faster with 1,10-phenanthroline. The low dielectric constant of the medium assists the complex formation and enhances the reactivity. The reactions were studied at different temperatures at different acetic acid-water composition and various thermodynamic parameters have been determined. The observed experimental results have been explained by plausible mechanisms.