Kinetic Studies on the Oxidation of Some para and meta-Substituted Cinnamic Acids by Pyridinium Bromochromate in the Presence of Oxalic Acid (A Co-oxidation Study)

The kinetics of oxidation of cinnamic acids by pyridinium bromochromate (PBC) in the presence of oxalic acid has been studied in acetic acid-water (60:40%) medium. The reaction shows unit order dependence each with respect to oxidant as well as oxalic acid [OX], the order with respect to [H+] and [CA] are fractional. The reaction is acid catalyzed and a low dielectric constant favours the reaction. Increase the ionic strength has no effect on the reaction rate. In the case of substituted cinnamic acids the order with respect to substrate vary depending upon the nature of the substituent present in the ring. In general, the electron withdrawing substituents retard the rate while the electron releasing substituents enhance the rate of reaction. From the kinetic data obtained the activation parameters have been computed and a suitable mechanism has been proposed.