ANALYSIS OF FIRST-ORDER KINETIC DATA BY A DIFFERENTIAL TECHNIQUE

A differential method for analyzing first-order kinetic data is presen ted. While the essence of this approach has been known for almost a ce ntury, the use of computers to collect, store, and manipulate data has reenergized this innovative idea. Based on the equation ln \dA(t)/dt\ = ln \k(A(o) - A(infinity))\ - kt, plots of ln \dA(t)/dt\ vs. t were found to be linear for both simulated kinetic data and data collected for the reaction of [(en)(2)Co(SCH2CH2NH2)](2+) with acrylamide. The r ate constants for the reaction obtained by this method are identical t o those obtained by the infinite-time method of analysis, but do not r equire infinite-time measurements in their evaluation. (C) 1997 John W iley & Sons, Inc.