Kinetics of Hydrolysis of Some Bifunctional Schiff Bases

Abstract

Kinetics of hydrolysis of some bifunctional Schiff bases, bis(x‐benzylidenes)‐o‐phenylenediamine, have been investigated in aqueous media containing 0.1 mole fraction of ethanol under base and acid conditions. Under base conditions the rate determining step is the hydroxide ion attack on the protonated substrate while under weak acid conditions the attack of water rather than hydroxide ion on the protonated substrate becomes the predominant reaction pathway. The bifunctional Schiff base molecular structure‐base or acid hydrolysis reactivity relationship has been examined and discussed. Effect of medium (water content and nature of organic solvents) has been investigated and it is deduced that specific solute‐solvent interactions, namely the proton‐solvent, play a vital role on such hydrolysis reaction.