Kinetics of Oxidation of Glycerol by Potassium. Perozodisulphate in Presence of Silver Ions

Oxidation of glycerol by peroxodisulphate by itself is slow even at 45°, but in presence of silver ions it proceeds with a measurable velocity. Kinetic study reveals that the rate is proportional to the con­centration of the catalyst (silver ions) and that its order is unity with respect to the oxidant, but it is of zero order with respect to the reducing substrate. The products of oxidation of glycerol have been found to be formaldehyde, formic acid, acetaldehyde, and acetic acid, depending on the concentration of glycerol and temperature of the reaction. A mechanism for the catalytic action of silver ions has been suggested and the various oxidation compounds formed are ascribed to two side reactions. The energy and entropy of activation between 30° and 35° have also been determined.