Abstract

The kinetics of rhodium(III) catalyzed oxidation of cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone by sodium periodate in acidic medium have been studied in the temperature range 30-450C . The reaction was carried out in the presence of mercuric acetate as a scavenger. The rate showed first-order kinetics with respect to the oxidant i.e. sodium periodate and catalyst Rh(III) chloride for both cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone. Both the substrate cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone showed first order kinetics at its lower concentration tending to zero order at higher concentration. Insignificant influence of mercuric acetate and ionic strength of the medium were observed while the reaction showed no effect of [Cl-] and [H+] on the reaction rate for both cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone.

Various activation parameters have been calculated. A suitable mechanism in agreement with observed kinetics has been proposed.