KINETICS OF THE REACTION OF BENZOYL CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CARBOXYLATE UNDER INVERSE PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSIS

The reaction of benzoyl chloride and sodium carboxylate using pyridine 1-oxide (PNO) as an inverse phase-transfer catalyst in a system of th e two phases H2O and CH2Cl2 was investigated. Carboxylate ions includi ng formate, acetate, propionate, 2-methylpropanoate, pentanoate, hexan oate, heptanoate and octanoate were selected to compare their reactivi ties. The rate of reaction depended on the concentration of pyridine 1 -oxide (PNO) in the organic phase. The concentration of carboxylate io n affected the distribution of pyridine 1-oxide (PNO) between the orga nic and aqueous phases. The rate of reaction thus depended on the conc entration of the carboxylate ion even though the rate-determining step occurred in the organic phase.