The rate equation of a Mannich reaction.

We studied the reaction of propiophenone with diethylamine and paraformalde hyde to produce beta-dimethylamino-alpha-methyl-propiophenone hydrochloride in P-propanol. Mle have found two steps, the first: the reaction of diethy lamine with paraformaldehyde, which gives equilibrium without water elimina tion. The second, after ketone is added, is slower sand irreversible. The w hole Mannich reaction can be represented by a third order reaction, which i ndicates that the intermediary is a cation imonium.