Kinetics of the Oxidation of Pinacol by Acid Permanganate

The main product of the oxidation of pinacol by acid permanganate is acetone. The reaction is of first order with respect to each of the oxidant and hydrogen ion. The order with respect to pinacol IS one and two at high and low pyrophosphate concentration respectively. The rate increases by addition of manganese (II). The thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated. Mn (III) is possibly the active oxidising species and formation of reversible complex between pinacol and Mn (III) which decomposes to give a free radical is in accord with the observed data