Triton X-100 Mediated Electron Transfer Reactions between Iron(III) Polypyridyl Complexes and Phenylsulfinylacetic Acids

Oxidative decarboxylation of phenylsulfinylacetic acids (PSAAs) by iron(III) polypyridyl complexes in non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 medium has been investigated spectrophotometrically. An initial intermediate formation between PSAA and [Fe(NN)3]3+ is confirmed from the observed Michaelis–Menten kinetics and fractional order dependence on PSAA. Applying the Hammett substituent constants to the overall rate constants obtained in TX-100 medium gives non-linear concave upward Hammett plots. A suitable mechanism involving the formation of diphenyl sulphone as product has been proposed. The observed increase in rate with increase in concentration of TX-100 at low concentration range, clearly shows that the reaction takes place in micellar medium and both the reactants are associated or incorporated into micellar phase.