Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Tartaric Acid by N-Chloronicotinamide (NCN)

Abstract

The oxidation of tartaric acid by N-chloronicotinamide in the presence of H₂SO₄ is studied. First order kinetics with respect to NCN is observed. The kinetics results indicate fractional order dependence about [tartaric acid]. Inverse first order in [nicotinamide] and inverse fractional order about [H⁺] are noted. Rate of the reaction increases with a decrease in the percentage of acetic acid. The values of rate constants observed at four different temperatures were utilized to calculate the activation parameters. A suitable mechanism consistent with the experimental findings has been proposed.