Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction of Benzoyi Chloride with 4-(4’-N,N-Dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine N-Oxide in Acetonitrile

The rate and equilibrium constants for the individual steps in the reaction of benzoyi chloride with 4-(4’-N,N-dimethylamino-styryl)pyridine N-oxide in acetonitrile to afford 1-benzoyloxy-4-(4’-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridinium chloride have been determined; the slow step of the reaction involves decomposition of a tetrahedral intermediate.