Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of ethyl glycol, D-mannitol and D-sorbitol by hexacyanoferrate(III) ion in aqueous alkaline medium

Chemical Laboratories, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002, India

S. D. (P. G.) College, Muzzafarnagar-251 001, India

Manuscript received 3 June 1997, revised 22 April 1999, accepted 17 May 1999

The rate of oxidation of ethyl glycol, D-mannitol and n-sorbitol by hexacyanoferrate(III) ion in aqueous alkaline medium is directly proportional to the organic substrate and hydroxide ion concentrations. The dependence of rate on hexa­cyanoferrate(III) ion is nearly first order at lower concentrations and tends towards zero order at higher concentrations. A probable reaction mechanism has been suggested.