The Kinetics and Mechanism of the Hydrolysis of a 1,1-Dicyano-2-p-dimethylaminophenyl-2-chloroethylene

The rate constants of hydrolysis of 1,1-dicyano-2-p-dimethylaminophenyl-2-chloroethylene(DPC) were determined at various pH and the rate equation which can be applied over wide pH range is obtained. From the rate equation the mechanism of the hydrolysis of a DPC over wide pH range is fully explained; below pH 3 and above pH 7.5, the rate constant is proportional to the concentration of hydronium ion and hydroxide ion, respectively. However, in the range of pH 3 to 7.5, water, hydronium ion and hydroxide ion catalyze the hydrolysis of DPC.