Kinetics of oxidation of Benzoin by potassium bromate

ABSTRACT

The kinetics of oxidation of benzoin by bromate ion has been studied in acetic acid-water medium in presence of sulphuric acid. The effect of acidity on the rate of oxidation has been investigated by correlating the observed pseudo first order rate constant with the free hydrogen ion concentration [obtained from e.m.f.s. of a chemical cell comprising glass and calomel electrodes]. The order with respect to [H[+]] was found to be. one, different from that reported by Natarajan and Venkatasubramanian as three, who used sulphuric acid concentration as[H[+]],.which is incorrect especially in this medium of lower dielectric constant. Moreover, the experimentaly determined rate law takes a new form with the subsequent modifications of the proposed reaction mechanism. The extrathermodynamic analysis of reaction rate reveals that this reaction is an enthalpy cotrolled type