Ionization of acetophenone: influence of ion association

Abstract

Measurements are reported on the rates of detritiation of acetophenone at 25° in alkaline media to which various lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium and tetra-alkylammonium salts have been added. For any given cation, varying the nature of the anion has no effect on the rate. For the cations the rate decreases in the order K < Na < Li < Ba < Ca < Mg. The results are interpreted in terms of ion association between the hydroxide ion and the cations, and allow calculations of the dissociation constants to be made. Where comparison with previously reported values can be made, fair agreement exists. The behaviour of the tetra-alkylammonium salts in increasing the rate of ionization is also discussed.