Abstract
The composition of the product formed by the reaction of L-proline with ninhydrin has been determined using Job's method of continuous variation. Kinetics and mechanism of this reaction have been studied as a function of pH, temperature and ninhydrin concentration in the range of (4.0-20.0) x 10(-3) mol dm-3. It follows pseudo-first order reaction path for the formation of carbon dioxide and enol betaine with respect to proline in presence of excess of ninhydrin concentration. The formation of two products takes place simultaneously through the concerted electronic mechanism. On the basis of the observed rate data, possible mechanism has been proposed.