The solvent effect on the rate of reaction between propanethiol and chlorine dioxide

The products and kinetics of the liquid-phase oxidation of propanethiol by chlorine dioxide in organic media (n-heptane, 1,4-dioxane, carbon tetrachlo ride, benzene, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, and acetonitrile) at temperatures from -10 to 70 degreesC were examined. The reaction rate const ants and activation parameters were measured in the above solvents. A stron g solvent effect on the reaction kinetics was found (k = 1.67 x 10(-3) or 5 2.7 l mol(-1) s(-1) (25 degreesC) in heptane or acetonitrile, respectively) . The data were analyzed in terms of the Leydler-Eyring and Koppel-Palm equ ations. The formation of high-polarity intermediates in the test reaction w as suggested.