Degradation kinetics of a substituted carbinolamine in aqueous media

The apparent first-order breakdown of the medicinally active agent 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-2-ethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-ol was studied in aqueous solutions where dehydration gave the unsaturated compound 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-2-ethylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole. This thiazole was the primary solvolytic product produced in approximately quantitative yields for the temperature range studied and ostensibly underwent no further reaction in acidic media even on prolonged heating. Investigations were carried out at various pH values in standard buffers at constant ionic strength. The ionization constants of the compounds are reported as well as the apparent activation energies for the degradation in acid and acetate buffers. The influence of ionic strength on the velocity constant was determined.