Ru(III) catalyzed oxidation of some aliphatic alcohols by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). A kinetic study

Kinetics of Ru(III) catalyzed oxidation of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, isopropanol and iso-butanol by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of Hg(II) acetate have been studied in acid medium. The oxidation exhibits a fractional order in [alcohol] and first order in [NBS]. The applicability of Taft's equation was tested. The probable mechanism is discussed.