Detection by low temperature spectrophotometry of a mixed anhydride intermediate in the carboxylate ion-catalysed hydrolysis of a sulphite ester

Abstract

By low temperature spectrophotometry in aqueous ethylene glycol solutions we have observed two phases corresponding to the release of p-nitrophenol in both stages of the chloroacetate ion-catalysed hydrolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl) sulphite, and by trapping with hydroxylamine we have identified the intermediate formed in the first phase as the mixed anhydride.