KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF OXIDATION OF SECONDARY ALCOHOLS BY BIS(2,2'-BIPYRIDYL)COPPER(II) PERMANGANATE

The oxidation of secondary alcohols by bis(2,2'-bipyridyl) copper(II) permanganate (BBCP) in aqueous acetic acid leads to the formation of c orresponding ketones. The reaction is first order with respect to BBCP and the alcohols. The reaction rates have been determined at differen t temperatures and the activation parameters have also been calculated . The reaction rate increases with increase in the concentration of H ions. The oxidation of benzhydrol-alpha-d exhibits a substantial kine tic isotope effect (k(H)/k(D) = 5.34). With increase in the amount of acetic acid in the solvent mixture of acetic acid and water, the rate increases. Addition of 2,2'-bipyridine and acrylonitrile has no effect on the rate. Suitable mechanism has been proposed.