KINETICS OF THE REACTION BETWEEN MALACHITE GREEN AND HYDROXYL ION IN THE PRESENCE OF REDUCING SUGARS

Abstract

The reaction studied is found a first order one with respect to malachite green, sugar and hydroxyl ion concentrations. However, the reaction is independent of the solution ionic strength and shows no salt effect dependence. This provides to imply an outer sphere mechanism. No polymerization of the reaction mixture with acrylonitrile is observed, which indicates an absence of radicals' formation in the course of the reaction. The Michaelis-Menten plot suggests the participation of a reaction intermediate in the rate determining step. The activation parameters of the reaction are calculated, while the products are identified by FTIR spectroscopy. A reaction stoichiometry of 1:1 is found. A mechanism consistent with the facts pointed above is advanced.