Kinetic and Mechanistic Study of Oxidation of Alcohols by Tetraethyl Ammonium Fluorochromate: A Versatile Oxidizing Agent

The oxidation of alcohols with tetraethyl ammonium fluorochromate in acid medium was studied kinetically. The alcohols are oxidized under pseudo - first order keeping concentration of oxidant constant. It is observed that the reaction is catalyzed by the hydrogen ions. The rate of reaction at different concentrations of oxidant, acetic acid, temperature and using different solvents were evaluated and tabulated. The rate of reaction is found to be increasing with the increase in concentration of substrate and acid. Similarly it is observed to increase with the rise in the temperature. The probable mechanism for the oxidation is suggested and thermodynamic parameters are calculated.