Mechanism of oxidation of diazepam by chloramine-B: A kinetic approach

The kinetics of the oxidation of diazepam (DZ) by Chloramine-B (CAB) has been studied in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium. The oxidation reaction follows the rate law: -dCAB/dt = kCABDZ0.6HCl0.6 The dependence of the reaction rate on temperature is studied and activation parameters for the rate-determining step are evaluated. The dielectric constant of the medium has a small effect on the rate. Ionic strength and the reaction product benzenesulfonamide have no effect on the reaction rate. The solvent isotope effect is studied. A probable mechanism for the observed kinetic data is proposed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc