Ruthenate ion catalysed oxidation of some unsaturated alcohols by alkaline hexacyanoferrate(III) ion

Abstract

The kinetics of ruthenate ion catalysed oxidation of allyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol by hexacyanoferrate(III) ion in an aqueous alkaline media at constant ionic strength indicate no dependence of rate on alkali concentration or ionic strength. The reaction shows first order dependence on ruthenate ion and zero order in hexacyanoferrate(III) ion. The rate of the reaction increases with increase in substrate concentration and shows Michaelis-Menten type of behaviour. The data suggests that the oxidation proceeds via the formation of a complex between an alcohol molecule and ruthenate ion yielding corresponding acids. The reaction has been studied at four different temperatures and thermodynamic parameters have been computed. A plausible mechanism consistent with the experimental results is proposed. © 1983.