Abstract
Kinetics of hexacyanoferrate (III) (HCF) oxidation of fluorene (Fl) in organic alkaline medium has been studied by spectrophotometric technique at a constant ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm-3 and at a temperature of 25°C. The reaction showed a first order kinetics with respect to [HCF] and fractional-first order dependences on both [Fl] and [OH-]. The oxidation rate was increased with the increase in the ionic strength of the reaction medium. The oxidation mechanism was suggested which involves formation of a 1:1 intermediate complex between fluorene and HCF species in a pre-equilibrium step. The final oxidation product of fluorene was identified by spectroscopic and chemical tools as 9H-fluorenone. The appropriate rate law expression was deduced and the reaction constants involved in the mechanism were evaluated. The activation parameters of the rate constant of the slow step along with the thermodynamic quantities of the equilibrium constants were evaluated and discussed.
Highlights
Fluorene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) that exists in fossil fuels [1, 2]
A literature survey revealed no work has been reported about the kinetics of oxidation of fluorene by any oxidant
The title reaction was investigated to establish the factors affecting oxidation of fluorene to arrive at a plausible oxidation mechanism
Summary
Fluorene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) that exists in fossil fuels [1, 2]. Fluorene and its derivatives have a large list of significant applications [3-10] as dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer light-emitting diodes and electroemitting materials. Fluorene is considered as effective and pronounced precursor for synthesis of photochromic di and tetrahydroindolizines [11-14]. Oxidation of organic compounds by hexacyanoferrate (III) has been a subject of much interest especially in alkaline media [15-26] because hexacyanoferrate (III) has a high stability, water solubility and moderate reduction potential [27]. A literature survey revealed no work has been reported about the kinetics of oxidation of fluorene by any oxidant. The title reaction was investigated to establish the factors affecting oxidation of fluorene to arrive at a plausible oxidation mechanism
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