Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation of several para- substituted benzaldehydes by imidazolium fluorochromate (IFC) has been studied in the presence
of p-toluenesulphonic acid (TsOH) in different (hydrogen bond donor and hydrogen bond acceptor) organic solvents. The reaction was run
under pseudo-first-order conditions. Various thermodynamic parameters for the oxidation have been reported and discussed along with the
validity of isokinetic relationship. The rate data showing satisfactory correlation with Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters (α, β and π*)
which suggests that the specific solute-solvent interactions play a major role in governing the reactivity, and the observed solvent effects
have been explained on the basis of solute-solvent complexation.

Key words: imidazolium fluorochromate , p-substituted benzaldehydes, solvent effect, oxidation kinetics