A Kinetic Study of the Hydrolysis of Methyl DL-α-Phenyl-2-piperidylacetate

Abstract

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of methyl DL-α-phenyl-2-piperidylacetate in aqueous buffers were studied over the pH range 1.1 to 6.1. The hydrolysis appears to be catalyzed specifically by hydronium and hydroxyl ions. The resulting catalytic catenary afforded a pH minimum of 2.86 at 80°. The pseudo first- and second-order velocity constants for hydronium and hydroxyl ion catalysis were determined, and the temperature dependency of the reaction was studied. The influence of ionic strength on the hydronium and hydroxyl ion catalysis was investigated. The structural characteristics of the molecule contributing to the isocatalytic point are discussed.