Kinetics and mechanism of oxidative degradation of DL-serine by chromium(VI)

The oxidation kinetics of DL-serine by Cr(VI) has been studied spectrophoto metrically in aqueous sulphuric acid. The reaction occurs through the path: HO-CH2-CH(N+H3)-COOH -->(slow) OHC-CH(N+H3)-COOH -->(fast) (N+H3)CH2-COOH+C O2 An intermediate, 2-amino-3-oxo propanoic acid, has been identified as its h ydrazone derivative. The net rate law, as measured by the formation of Cr(I II), is given by, k(obs) = k(l)K(es)[H2SO4](2)[DL - serine](T)/1 + K-es[DL - serine](T) The values of k(1) and K-es have been evaluated at different acidities. Mec hanism with the associated reaction kinetics is assigned and discussed.