Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Amino Acids by Aqueous Bromine

Abstract

Kinetics of the oxidation of amino acids by bromine solution
have been investigated. The reaction has a first order dependence
on bromine and amino acids concentrations. The rate of reaction
decreases with increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions; order
with respect to hydrogen is two. Further, it was observed that first
order rate constant decreases with increase in the concentration of
bromide ion. This suggests that molecular bromine is not active
species in this oxidation; it is probably HOBr. Thermodynamic
parameters have been evaluated for each amino acid. A tentative
mechanism involving C-C bond fission based on experimental
observations has been proposed.