Kinetics and Mechanism of the Ir(III) Catalyzed Oxidation of Methyl Diethylene Glycol by Ce(IV) in Sulphuric Acid Medium

Abstract

In present studies, the iridium (III) catalysis in ceric sulphate oxidation of methyl diethylene glycol [MDG] in sulphuric acid medium has been investigated. The reaction is found to be zero-order with respect to cerium (IV) ion and positive effect of hydrogen ion. Zero-order dependence of [Ce(IV)] clearly suggests its involvement in the first step. First-order kinetics with respect to methyl diethylene glycol [MDG] and iridium (III) chloride has been observed. There is insignificant effect of ionic strength potassium sulphate and sodium hydrogen sulphate (NaHSO₄) on the reaction rate indicating interaction in the rate-determining step being an ion-dipole type and not an ion type. Elevation of temperature increases the rate of reaction; various activation parameters have been calculated and recorded. On the basis of the experimental findings a suitable mechanism has been proposed. The reaction product was identified, and the results were also confirmed by statistical regression analysis data.