The kinetics of oxidation of alanine and phenylalanine by sodium N-chlorobenzene sulfonamide (CAB) has been investigated a t 30Β°C in two ranges of acid concentrations. The reactions follow identical kinetics for both amino acids. At low acid concentration (0.03-0.10M), simultaneous catalysis by Hf and C1-ions is noted. The rate shows a first-order dependence on [CAB], but is independent of [substrate]. A variation of the ionic strength or the dielectric constant of the medium or the presence of the added reaction product benzene sulfonamide (BSA) has no pronounced effect on the rate. At [HCI] > 0.2M, the rate is independent of [H+], but shows a first-order dependence on
[CAB] and a fractional-order dependence on [amino acid]. The addition of BSA or Cl-ions, or a change in the ionic strength of the medium has no influence on the rate. Upon decreasing the dielectric constant of the medium, the rate increased, indicating positive ion-dipole interaction in the rate-determining step. The reaction was studied at different temperatures, and activation parameters have been computed. Rate laws in agreement with experimental results have been derived. Suitable mechanisms to account for the observed kinetics are proposed. The rate constants obtained from the derived rate laws as [H+], and [substrate] vary are in excellent agreement with the observed rate constants, thus justifying the proposed rate laws and hence the suggested mechanistic schemes.