The kinetics of oxidation ofortho-substituted phenyl methyl sulphides by peroxoanions, Cr(VI) and picolinic acid catalysed Cr(VI) have been investigated. Regression analyses of the rate data by using Taft and Charton equations to separate steric effect from electronic effects have been carried out. In peroxoanion oxidations, the localized electronic effect plays a major role. In the uncatalysed and picolinic acid catalysed Cr(VI) oxidations, both localized and delocalized effects are significant. Steric effect plays a minor role in all the oxidations
