Kinetic analysis of an extended single-path sequence of first-order reactions. The reaction of mesitonitrile in sulfuric acid

The system of a sequence of five first-order reactions, A → B → C → D → E → F, has been analyzed kinetically. An actual example is proposed in the reaction of mesitonitrile in 89.8% (w/w) sulfuric acid at 98.3°C. The analysis provides estimates of concentration ratios as functions of time, and the progress of the buildup and decay of the intermediate species can be monitored. The kinetics have been measured for the hydration of mesitonitrile, the hydrolysis of mesitamide, and the sulfonation of mesitylenesulfonic acid in 89.8% sulfuric acid. The calculated values of the concentration ratios of mesitylenedisulfonic acid as a function of time were satisfactorily close to those found in experiment.