Kinetic study of ruthenium(VI)-catalyzed oxidation of 2-butanol by alkaline hexacyanoferrate(III)

The oxidation kinetics of 2-butanol by alkaline hexacyanoferrate(III) catal yzed by sodium ruthenate has been studied spectrophotometrically. The initi al rates method was used for kinetic analysis. The reaction rate shows a fr actional-order in [hexacyanoferrate(III)] and [substrate] and a first-order dependence on [Ru(VI)]. The dependence on [OH-] is rather more complicated . The kinetic data suggest a reaction mechanism involving two active cataly tic species. Each one of these species Forms an intermediate complex with t he substrate. The attack of these complexes by hexacyanoferrate(III). in a slow step, produces ruthenium(V) complexes which are oxidized in subsequent steps to regenerate the catalyst species. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.