KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF HOMOGENEOUS CATALYTIC HYDROXYLATION OF MALEIC-ACID BY HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE .3. HYDROLYSIS OF CIS-EPOXYSUCCINIC ACID WITH SODIUM TUNGSTATE

The kinetics of catalytic and non-catalytic hydrolysis of cis-epoxysuc cinic acid (H(2)E) to tartaric acid (H2T) have been studied. The hydro lysis proceeded much faster in the presence of sodium tungstate cataly st than with an acid or without any catalyst. The results indicated th e formation of complexes {cat.H(2)E} between sodium tungstate (cat) an d cis-epoxysuccinic acid, presumably in the form of tunstenglycolate o f tartaric acid. The reaction has been found to be retarded by tartari c acid or, rather, by its complex with catalyst in the form {cat.2H(2) T}. A mathematical model of the overall process has been developed and the mechanism of reaction discussed.