Reaction of chlorine dioxide with phenol

The kinetics of phenol oxidation with chlorine dioxide in different solvents (2-methylpropan-1-ol, ethanol, 1,4-dioxane, acetone, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, heptane, tetrachloromethane, water) was studied by spectrophotometry. In all solvents indicated, the reaction rate is described by an equation of the second order w = kPhOH]·ClO₂]. The rate constants were measured (at 10—60 °C), and the activation parameters of oxidation were determined. The reaction rate constant depends on the solvent nature. The oxidation products are a mixture of p-benzoquinone, 2-chloro-p-benzoquinone, and diphenoquinone.