Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of β-Phenyl Propionic Acid by Peroxydisulphate Catalysed by Ag(l) Ion

Department of Chemistry, S. S. V. College, Hapur Manuscript received 19 December 1974; revised 6 August 1975; accepted 8 August 1975 The kinetics of Ag+ catalysed oxidation of β-phenyl propionic acid by peroxydisulphate in sulphuric acid (0.025 M) medium has been investigated. The reaction was found to be of first order with respect to peroxydisulphate and Ag(l) ions and independent of the concentration of β-phenyl propionic acid. The salt effect was found to be negative. The sp. ionic effect is in order of Zn2+ > Mg2 ~ and K+ > Na+ > H+ for the ions of similar charges. However, the reaction is catalysed by [H+], One mole of peroxydisulphate is found to react completely with one mole of β-phenyl propionic acid to give the mixture of phenyl acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde in the ratio of 87.5 : 12.5. The energy parameters are, ΔE = 22.05 K.Cal/mole; A= 3.86 x 1010 litre/mole/sec. and ΔS\(\neq\)= -10.18 Eu. The rate is inhibited by allyl acetate, The rate laws have been explained on the basis of a free radical mechanism involving Ag(II)