4-Oxo-4-arylbutanoic acids

The oxidation of substituted 4-oxo-4-arylbutanoic acids by hexacyanoferrate(III) [HCF(III)] in aqueous alkaline medium is first order in the oxo acid, hydroxide ion, and the HCF(III) ion. A mechanism involving the formation of enolate anion from the oxo compound and subsequent rate-determining electron transfer is proposed. 

---