Oxidation of 2,5-dimethylnitrosobenzene in carbon tetrachloride by dinitrogen tetroxide

Abstract

The oxidation of 2,5-dimethylnitrosobenzene in carbon tetrachloride by dinitrogen tetroxide has been studied kinetically by u.v. spectrophotometry. It appears that the oxidising entity is nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Second-order kinetics were found to be obeyed with first-order dependence on the nitroso-compound and on the nitrogen dioxide. The oxidation was not acid-catalysed. The energy of activation is 7·3 ± 0·6 kcal. mole^–1 and the entropy of activation –32·4 ± 2·0 cal. mole^–1 deg.^–1.

A mechanism consistent with these kinetics is discussed.