Ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by chloramine-T in aqueous alkaline medium - A kinetic and mechanistic pathway

The kinetic study of ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by N-chloro-p-toluene sulfonamide (chloramine-T) in the alkaline medium has been performed. The reaction exhibits second order nature and the effect of the catalyst indicates the occurrence of uncatalyzed reaction simultaneously. Rate is decelerated by hydroxide ions. A plausible reaction mechanism has been suggested and the rate law is derived to account for such experiential observations. The activation parameters have been calculated. No evidence of the participation of free radicals is observed.

Automated summary

The kinetics of the oxidation reaction of paracetamol catalyzed by ruthenium(III) chloride in the presence of N-chloro-p-toluene sulfonamide (chloramine-T) in an alkaline medium has been studied. The reaction follows second order kinetics and the presence of the catalyst suggests the occurrence of an uncatalyzed reaction in parallel. The rate of the reaction is slowed down by hydroxide ions. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed and the rate law has been derived to explain the experimental observations. The activation parameters have been calculated and no evidence of free radical participation has been observed.