Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of L-cystine by hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline medium

Abstract

Kinetics of oxidation of L-cystine by hexacyanoferrate(III) was studied in alkaline medium at 30°C. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically at λmax = 420 nm. The reaction was found to be first order dependence each on [HCF(III)] and [cystine]. It was found that the rate of the reaction increases with increase in [OH-]. The oxidation product of the reaction was found to be cysteic acid. A plausible mechanism has been proposed to account for the experimental results.