STUDIES ON INDIAN-OCEAN MANGANESE NODULES - 9 - CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF THIOLS TO DISULFIDES BY CENTRAL INDIAN-OCEAN FERROMANGANESE NODULES

The oxidation of thiols to corresponding disulfides by Indian Ocean fe rromanganese nodules has been studied under varying experimental condi tions. More than 90% conversion of thiols (2.5 x 10(-3) mol) was achie ved at 35 degrees C using 0.1 g nodules, The oxides of Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg, and Al and surface oxygen in the nodules are most likely responsible for the oxidation of thiols. Under identical conditions the oxidative conversion of thiols decreases in the order 1-dodecanethiol < 1-hexane thiol < 1,4-butanedithiol < alpha-toluenethiol. (C) 1998 Academic Pres s.