The
present study reports the oxidation of epinephrine (adrenaline),
a neurotransmitter by a lipid compatible lipophilic Cr (VI) oxidant,
cetyltrimethylammonium dichromate (CTADC). The kinetics of the reaction
is studied in organic media in the presence of acetic acid by UV–vis
spectroscopic method. The rate of the reaction is measured by monitoring
adrenochrome, the oxidized product of epinephrine at 455 nm. The reaction
is fractional order with respect to CTADC and epinephrine. Acetic
acid is found to retard the rate of the reaction. A suitable ionic
mechanism is proposed based on the experimental findings where epinephrine
is converted to adrenochrome through the intermediate, leucochrome.
The proposed reaction mechanism is also supported by the effect of
solvent, effect of temperature, and effect of surfactants on the rate
of the reaction. The decrease in rate constant due to increase in
polarity and hydrogen bond acceptor ability of the solvent indicates
the existence of a less polar transition state and stabilization of
the reactants through strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The
addition of surfactants (cationic, anionic, and nonionic) decreased
the rate of reaction, and the retardation is explained through the
partition of oxidant and substrate in different microheterogeneous
media.