lridium(III) Chloride catalysed Oxidation of some Alcohols by Alkaline Hexacyanoferrate(III)

Chemical Laboratories, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002 Manuscript received 24 July 1989, revised 15 December 1989, accepted 6 February 1990 The oxidation of methanol, ethanol, propanol-1 and butanol-1 by alkaline hexacyanoferrate(III) using iridium(III) chloride as a homogeneous catalyst reveals first order kinetics at low concentrations. thereafter the rate of the reaction becomes independent with respect to hexacyanoferrate(III) and hydroxide ions each at their higher concentrations. The reaction follows direct proportionality with respect to [IrCl3], and increase in the ionic strength of the medium effects the reaction rate in a positive manner. The probable pathway for the oxidation of the above alcohols and the rate law have been derived. The thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated