Pd(II) Catalyzed Oxidative Degradation of Paracetamol by Chloramine-T in Acidic and Alkaline Media

Pd(II) catalyzed oxidation of paracetamol (PA) by sodium N -chloro p -toluenesulfonamide (chloramine-T or CAT) was studied in HClO 4 and NaOH solutions at 303 K. The stoichiometry and the oxidation product in both solutions were found to be the same. The determined stoichiometric ratio was 1:2 ([PA]:[CAT]) and quinone oxime was identified as the oxidized product of PA. However, the kinetics patterns in both media were different. In the acidic medium, the rate law was −d[CAT]/d t = k [CAT][PA] 0.9 [Pd(II)] 0.8 [H + ] −0.4 and the rate law was −d[CAT]/d t = k [CAT][PA] 0.9 [Pd(II)] [PTS] −0.4 [NaOH] −1 in the alkaline medium. p -Toluenesulphonamide (PTS) is the reduced product of CAT. The kinetics of the reaction was studied as a function of temperature, ionic strength, concentration of the salt, concentration of the added reaction product, and dielectric constant of the medium to learn the mechanistic aspects of the reaction. A plausible mechanism is proposed, which is consistent with the kinetics, stoichiometry, and product of the reaction.