Kinetics of Oxidation of Acetophenones by Selenium Dioxide

Chemistry Department, Government Science College, Rewa-486 Chemistry Department, Government P. G. College, Satna-485 001 Manuscript received 16 February 1984, revised 1 July 1986, accepted 30 October 2986 The kinetics of oxidation of acetophenone, p-methylacetophenone and p-chloro­acetophenone by selenium dioxide in 70% (v/v) acetic acid— water mixture have been Investigated. The reaction is first order with respect to selenium dioxide and approxi­mately first order with respect to acetophenone. The oxidation reactions are catalysed by sulphuric acid. The primary salt effect is nominal retarding. The reaction rate increases with increase in the percentage of acetic acid in the reaction mixture. The observed order of reactivity among acetophenones studied is p CH2>H>p-Cl. Acti­vation parameters have been evaluated. On the basis of experimental facts, a suitable mechanism has been proposed