Acid Catalysed Condesation of Phloroglucinol and Acetone-Kinetics and Mechanism

The kinetic study of the condensation reaction between phloroglucinol and acetone was investigated at 30, 35, 40 and 45±0.05 °C in 100% methanol. The hydrochloric acid concentrations used were 0.0261, 0.0364, 0.0577 and 0.0728 M. The reaction was investigated with and without a promoter, thioglycollic acid (TGA), and taking into account the functionality (h) of phloroglucionol. The reaction was found to obey a second order rate law, the rate increasing with an increase in acid catalyst concentration. The activation parameters for the overall reactions have been calculated. The raction was also carried out in solvents 1,4-di-oxane, isopropanol, ethanol and methanol. The overall rate constants were resolved into step rate constants. A mechanism consistent with the kinetic data has been suggested.