Kinetics of Oxidation of Glycollic Acid by Quinquevalent Vanadium in Sulphuric Acid Medium

Department of Chemistry, D. S. College, Katihar P. G. Department of Chemistry, Bihar University, L. S, College, Muzaffarpur Manuscript received 30 December 1980, revised 20 November 1981, accepted 2 February 1982 The oxidation of glycollic acid by V(V) has been found to be first order both in [oxidant] and [substrate) and second order in [H+]. The acid dependence of oxidation can be expressed by equation log k= 1.2 log [H2SO4]— 3.74. The increase in oxidation rate with increase in [HSO\(_4^-\)] at constant [H+] has also been observed. The thermo­dynamic parameters have been evaluated. V(OH)\(_3^2\)+ and V(OH)2(HSO4)2+ have been proposed to be the reactive species out of which the latter one is more reactive. A plausible mechanism with V(V) acting as one electron oxidant involving C—C bond fission in the slow step via free radical formation, has been suggested