The effect of a solvent on the rate of oxidation of nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compounds by peroxy acids

The effect of a solvent on the rate of oxidation of pyridine (Py), quinoline (QN), 8-hydroxyquinoline (OQN), and acridine (AN) by peroxycapric acid (PCA) is investigated. The reaction rate decreases in the series AN>QN>Py>OQN. In all cases, the rate of the process is 3-8 times higher in benzene than in acetone. The rates of Py oxidation in twelve solvents are determined. The apparent activation energies for the process range from 68.4 to 30.6 kJ/mol, depending on the solvent origin. It is shown that a solvent affects the reactivities of both PCA and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound