Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of some unsaturated organic substrates by quinolinium chlorochromate

The oxidation of unsaturated organic compounds, viz. crotyl alcohol, allyl alcohol, crotonaldehyde and maleic acid by quinolinium chlorochromate (QCC) in acetic acid-water medium (50% v/v) leads to the formation of corresponding epoxide. The reaction is of first order each in QCC and the reductant. The reaction is catalysed by hydrogen ions. The increase in dielectric constant of the medium decreases the rate, while variation in ionic strength has no perceptible change in rate. The reaction rates have been determined at different temperatures and the activation parameters have been evaluated. The mechanism consistent with the observed results has been discussed.