Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of N-methylformamide and N,N-dimethylformamide by silver (II) in aqueous perchlorate media and comparison with oxidation by CoIII and MnIII

Detailed measurements on the kinetics and stoichiometry of the oxidation of N-methylformamide and N,N-dimethylformamide by aquosilver (II) ions are reported. Four Ag ions are consumed for each amide, and the reaction is first order in [Ag] and first order in [amide]. The reaction is inversely dependent on acidity in the range of 1.5–5.0M HClO₄. The oxidation rate is independent of [Ag^I] and ionic strength. The proposed reaction mechanism and activation parameters are compared with those found for the oxidation of amides by other oxidants such as cobalt(III) and manganese(III).