Mechanistic study. of oxidative transformation of hetero aromatic stimulant, 1,3,7-trimethyl uric acid by potassium permanganate in perchloric acid medium - A kinetic study

The kinetics of oxidation of 1,3,7-trimethyl uric acid (Caffeine) by potassium permanganate in acidic medium was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction followed first order kinetics with respect to [permanganate ion] and the activation parameters of the reaction were calculated and discussed. The reaction constants involved in the mechanisms were calculated. The permanganate ion has a better oxidising capacity in acid medium than in alkaline medium. The oxidation products were confirmed through IR, NMR and Mass spectral investigations and two of them have been investigated in the light of non-linear optical (NLO) applications and found suitable for second harmonic generation (SHG) applications.