SALT EFFECTS ON THE REACTION RATES OF ETHYLOXALATE WITH HYDROXIDE IONS IN THE PRESENCE OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM SULFATE

The rates of alkaline hydrolysis of potassium ethyloxalate have been measured in the presence of sodium and potassium sulfate at various temperatures. A positive salt effect has been found in accordance with the Bronsted-Debye-Huckel theory. The effect of ionic strength (I ) on the rate constant (k) is in good agreement with the theory. Various thermodynamic activation parameters have been calculated. It is shown that the energy of activation (E), change in enthalpy of activation (∆H # ), and change in entropy of activation (∆S # ), are all dependent on the ionic strength of the medium.