Abstract
Kinetic investigations of oxidation of benzhydrol and p-substituted benzhydrols by N-bromophthalimide (NBP) in aqueous acetic acid medium in presence of mercuric(II) acetate as a scavenger have been studied. In absence of mineral acids, the oxidation kinetics of benzhydrols by NBP shows a first order dependence on NBP and fractional order on benzhydrols. The variation of ionic strength, Hg(OAc)(2), H+ and phthalimide (reaction product) have Insignificant effect on reaction rate. Activation parameters for the reaction have been evaluated from Arrhenius plot by studying the reaction at different temperatures. A mechanism involving transfer of hydride ion in rate determining step is suggested.