ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 32, Number 3
JKCSEZ 32(3)
June 20, 1988 

The reaction of VO₂⁺ with benzyl alcohol in perchloric acid and aqueous dimethylformamide leads to the formation of VO²⁺ and benzaldehyde. The products, VO²⁺ and benzaldehyde, are identified by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography. Kinetic studies on the reaction of VO₂⁺ with benzyl alcohol have been carried out using visible spectroscopy. The empirical rate equation can be expressed as -d[VO₂⁺]/dt = 2{k_o + k_H[HClO₄]} [VO₂⁺] [C₆H₅CH₂OH] The rate determining step for the reaction is the process for the formation of VO²⁺ and C₆H₅CHOH. The activation parameters are ΔH^≠ = 13.32 ± 1.73 kcal mol^-1 and ΔS^≠ = -31.02 ± 0.09 calmol^-1K^-1 for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol in aqueous dimethylformamide.