The kinetic role of metal ions in environmentally relevant redox reactionsof chlorite ion and sulfite ion

A brief survey is given about the reactions of chlorite and sulfite ions wi th some of the most common transition metal ions. The interpretation of the complex kinetic patterns observed in these systems requires the use of com prehensive data treatment and simultaneous evaluation of all experimental r esults. In most cases, complex formation reactions are in the core of the c atalytic redox cycles initiated by the metal ions. The environmental releva nce of the kinetic models proposed for catalytic decomposition of chlorite ion and auto-oxidation of sulfite ion is discussed in detail. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd. Al rights reserved.