The Influence of Sodium Benzoate on the Alkaline Hydrolysis of Fuchsin: Inhibition Study

Abstract

Kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of Fuchsin in the absence and presence of sodium benzoate was investigated at 546.5 nm by pseudo first order kinetics. The reaction was found to be first order each in [Fuchsin] and [NaOH] in the presence and absence of sodium benzoate. Double reciprocal plot indicates the presence of an intermediate complex in the course of the reaction. Activation parameters were obtained from Erying’s equation as ΔH# 24.70 kJmol-1, ΔS# -0.193 kJK-1mol-1 and ΔG# 82.21 kJ mol-1 in the absence of sodium benzoate and ΔH# 27.59 kJmol-1, ΔS# -0.185 kJ K-1mol-1 and ΔG# 82.72 kJ mol-1in the presence of sodium benzoate. Sodium benzoate plays an inhibitory role in the hydrolysis reaction. The values of the change in Gibb’s free energy of activation shows same mechanism for the hydrolytic reaction in the presence and absence of sodium benzoate. A plausible mechanism is proposed. Keywords: Sodium benzoate, Fuchsin, NaOH, rate law, mechanism