Kinetics of Oxidation of Organic Compounds : Part V. Oxidation of Maleic and Fumaric Acids by Cobaltic Sulphate

Kinetics of oxidation of maleic: and fumaric acids by cobaltic sulphate has been studied by measuring the disappearance of the oxidant iodometrically. The reaction shows first order dependence on the concentration of the oxidant and gives complex behaviour with the concentration of the substrate. The rate of the reaction is retarded by increasing ionic strength and hydrogen ion concentration. A probable mechanism involving attack of Co(SO₄)₂ on the double bond has been proposed.