Kinetics of oxidative degradation of L(+)lysine by alkaline permanganate -A mechanistic approach

The kinetics of oxidation of L(+)lysine by alkaline permanganate follows th e rate law -d[MnO4-]/dt = kK(1)K(2)[L(+)lysine] [OH-]/ / 1 + K1[OH-] + K1K2[L(+)lysine ][OH-] where K-1 and K-2 are the equilibrium constant of permanganate-alkali compl ex and formation constant for the complex between L(+) lysine and permangan ate respectively and k is the decomposition rate constant. The oxidation of L(+)lysine proceeds via the formation of a complex between L(+)lysine and permanganate which decomposes in a rate limiting step followed by a fast re action between the free radical of L(+)lysine and another molecule of perma nganate to give the products. The activation parameters are computed with r espect to the slow step of the mechanism.