Ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by chloramine-T in aqueous alkaline medium – A kinetic and mechanistic pathway

The kinetic study of ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol by N-chloro-p-toluene sulfonamide (chloramine-T) in the alkaline medium has been performed. The reaction exhibits second order nature and the effect of the catalyst indicates the occurrence of uncatalyzed reaction simultaneously. Rate is decelerated by hydroxide ions. A plausible reaction mechanism has been suggested and the rate law is derived to account for such experiential observations. The activation parameters have been calculated. No evidence of the participation of free radicals is observed.