Oxidation of aniline and some para-substituted anilines by benzimidazolium fluorochromate in aqueous acetic acid medium – A kinetic and mechanistic study

The oxidation kinetics of some para-substituted anilines by benzimidazolium fluorochromate (BIFC) have been studied in aqueous acetic acid media in the presence of perchloric acid. The reaction is first order with respect to both aniline and BIFC and is catalysed by a hydrogen ion. The rate data obey Hammett relationship. The products of oxidation are the corresponding azo benzenes. Based on the kinetic results and product analysis, a suitable mechanism has been proposed for the reaction of BIFC with anilines.