Oxidation of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine by hypochlorite ion

Article abstract of DOI:10.1134/S0036024411080152

The kinetics of the oxidative conversion of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine upon treatment with hypochlorite ions (OCl^-) in aqueous medium at 283-298 K and pH 8.2 was studied. The reaction order with respect to each component was determined and proved to be 1. It was established that the temperature dependence of the reaction rate follows the Arrhenius equation. The activation parameters of the reaction were measured: E _a = 33.58 kJ/mol, ΔH ^≠ = 31.12 kJ/mol, ΔS ^≠ = -170.02 J/(K mol), ΔG ^≠ = 81.45 kJ/mol. The stoichiometry of the reaction was studied, and the chemistry of the oxidative conversion of caffeine treated with OCl^- is discussed.