Stability of N‐chloro‐3‐aminopropanol in aqueous solution. Kinetics of decomposition and disproportion of N‐chloro‐3‐aminopropanol

N‐chloro‐3‐aminopropanol was obtained in aqueous solution by mixing the amine with the hypochlorite. The first order decomposition kinetics of the N‐chloramine in strongly alkaline media are explained by a mechanism in which the rate controlling step is the formation of an imine which is subsequently hydrolyzed. Spectrophotometry of the reaction in acid media showed that under these conditions dichloramines are formed: the second order experimental kinetics of this process are explained by a mechanism in which the rate‐controlling step is a reaction between the protonated and free forms of the N‐chloramine.