The oxidation of glycollic, lactic, u-hydroxybutyric, and 2-phenyllactic acids by aqueous bromine has been studied. The reaction is of first order with respect to the oxidant and the anion of the hydroxy acid respectively. The active oxidising species is molecular bromine. The oxidation of α,α-dideuterioglycollic acid indicated a kinetic isotope effect, kH/kD=4.62 at 25°C. The reaction does not show any appreciable solvent isotope effect. The activation parameters arc evaluated. A probable mechanism has been suggested.
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