Abstract

The kinetics of permanganate oxidation of nicotine alkaloid in aqueous perchlorate solutions at a constant ionic
strength of 1.0 mol dm-3 have been investigated spectrophotometrically. The kinetic results showed first-order
kinetics in permanganate and fractional-first-order dependence with respect to nicotine concentration. The
influence of hydrogen ion concentrations on the reaction rate showed inverse first-order kinetics in [H+] where
the oxidation rates were increased with decreasing hydrogen ion concentration. A kinetic evidence for the
formation of 1:1 complex has been revealed. The ionization constant of nicotine was calculated from the kinetic
data and was found to be 9.69x10-4 mol dm-3 at ionic strength of 1.0 mol dm-3 and 25o C. The kinetic parameters
have been evaluated and a tentative reaction mechanism consistent with the kinetic results is discussed.

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.