Kinetics and Mechanism of Ru(III)-Catalyzed Oxidation of Paracetamol by Chloramine-T in Aqueous Acidic Medium

The present paper deals with the kinetics and mechanism of Ru(III)-catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by chloramine-T (CAT) in aqueous perchloric acid medium at 303 K. The experimental result shows a first order dependence on paracetamol at its low concentrations, but tending towards zeroth order at its higher concentrations. The reactions follow a first order rate dependence with respect to oxidant [CAT] and [Ru(III)]. The reaction showed negative fractional-order dependence on the rate for [H+] and p-toluenesulphonamide. Variation in [Cl-] and ionic strength of the medium did not bring about any significant change on the rate of reaction. The decrease in the reaction rate with decrease in the dielectric constant of the medium was observed in the oxidation of paracetamol. Kinetic and equivalence studies together with product analysis, observed effect of dielectric constant of the medium on the rate of reaction and activation parameters furnished a basis for the formation of a common reaction mechanism for the Ru(III)-catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by CAT in the acidic medium.