Effects of microwave irradiation on activation energy and reaction rate of synthesis of dodecylmethydihydroxyethyl ammonium bromide

Abstract

The reaction kinetics of the synthesis of quaternary ammonium salt under two sets of different reaction conditions, including microwave irradiation condition and conventional heating condition, were studied. In order to make sure that the microwave would not be interrupted, the reaction temperature was maintained at the boiling point of reaction solvents. The results showed that the reaction was a first-order reaction under both set of conditions and microwave irradiation changed the value of the activation energy of the reaction, indicating a change in the reaction mechanism. The activation energy was 41.44 kJ/mol under microwave irradiation condition, and 61.21 kJ/mol under conventional condition.