Kinetics of Ir (III)-catalyzed Oxidation of D-glucose by Potassium Iodate in Aqueous Alkaline Medium

The kinetics of Ir (III) chloride-catalyzed oxidation of D-glucose by iodate in aqueous alkaline medium was investigated at 45 degrees C. The reaction follows first-order kinetics with respect to potassium iodate in its low concentration range but tends to zero order at its higher concentration. Zero-order kinetics with respect to [D-glucose] was observed. In the lower concentration range of Ir (III) chloride, the reaction follows first kinetics, while the order shifts from first to zero at its higher concentration range. The reaction follows first-order kinetics with respect to [OH-] at its low concentration but tends towards zero order at higher concentration. Variation in [Cl-] and ionic strength of the medium did not bring about any significant change in the rate of reaction. The first-order rate constant increased with a decrease in the dielectric constant of the medium. The values of rate constants observed at four different temperatures were utilized to calculate the activation parameters. Sodium salt of formic acid and arabinonic acid have been identified as the main oxidation products of the reaction. A plausible mechanism from the results of kinetic studies, reaction stoichiometry, and product analysis has been proposed.