Kinetics of the oxidation of reserpine with peroxodisulphate

Abstract

The kinetics of the reaction between reserpine and potassium peroxodisulphate in acid media have been investigated. The results show two first-order (or pseudo-first-order) steps occurring in series. At the first step, 3-dehydroreserpine, a yellowish green fluorescence product, is obtained, which is afterwards oxidized to 3,5-tetradehydroreserpine, a product with blue fluorescence. These results have been compared with those obtained for other Rauwolfia alkaloids and oxidizing agents.