KINETIC AND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 3-METHYLINDOLE OXIDATION BY POTASSIUM BROMATE IN TWO SOLVENTS

Abstract

The study explored the oxidation of 3-Methylindole by potassium bromate (KBrO3) in two different solvents of ethanol and acetone. It revealed that the reaction follows totally second-order kinetics and first order with respect to both 3 Methylindole and KBrO3. Interestingly, the rate remained unchanged when hydrogen ion concentration varied, and changes in ionic strength had no rate of effect. As the percentage of organic solvents increased, the rate of reaction also slowed down, and the absence of polymerization suggested the reaction did not proceed through a radical mechanism. Activation and thermodynamic parameters have been computed. A suitable kinetic mechanism based on these observations is proposed. The final product was confirmed through IR and NMR spectral analysis. The conclusion was that ethanol acts as a faster solvent for this oxidation compared to acetone.