Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of ω-diazoacetophenones in aqueous dioxan

Abstract

The rates of hydrolysis of ω-diazoacetophenone and p-methoxy-ω-diazoacetophenone have been measured in a 50% water–dioxan mixture containing different concentrations of perchloric acid, and in different water–dioxan mixtures with 0·1M-perchloric acid. Acidity functions have also been measured in these solutions. The results suggest that both compounds hydrolyse by the same mechanism, but an unambiguous conclusion cannot be drawn as to the type of mechanism involved.