Free radical mechanisms for the oxidation of 2,3-dihydroxy-2-propenal (triose reductone) by hexacyanoferrate(III)
Kinetic studies of the oxidation of 2,3-dihydroxy-2-propenal (triose reductone, RH2) by hexacyanoferrate(III), [Fe(CN)6]3−, were carried out in acidic media ([H+] = 0.02–0.1 M (1 M = 1 mol dm−3)) at various temperatures (10–30° C). The ionic strength of the media (I = 0.04–0.4 M) was adjusted using sodium perchlorate. The second-order rate constants in M−1 s−1 are (0.86 ± 0.06) – (2.83 ± 0.14) for the reactions of hexacyanoferrate(III) with RH2, and [(4.16 ± 0.03) − (12.4 ± 0.2)] × 103 for those with RH− ion. Activation parameters for the oxidation have been reported and compared with those of the oxidation of triose reductone with peroxodisulfate ion. A probable mechanism is proposed for the reaction.