Abstract
The kinetics of paracetamol oxidation are first order each in [paracetamol] and [HClO4]. The kinetic study shows that the oxidation proceeds in two steps. The effects of anionic micelles of sodiumdodecyl sulphate (SDS) and complexing agents (ethylenediammine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 2,2-bipyridyl (bpy)) were also studied. Fast kinetic spectrophotometric method has been described for the determination of paracetamol. The method is based on the catalytic effect of manganese(II) on the oxidation of paracetamol by chromium(VI) in the presence of HClO4 (= 0.23 mol dm(-3)). Optimum reaction time is 4 to 6 minutes at a temperature of 30 degrees C. The addition of manganese(II) ions largely decreased the absorbance of chromium(VI) at 350 nm. This reaction can be utilized for the determination of paracetamol in drugs.