Activation-controlled outer-sphere electron transfer reactions: reduction of heteropoly 11-tungstovanadophosphate and heteropoly 10-tungstodivanado phosphate by thiourea in aqueous acid medium

The kinetics of reduction of heteropoly 11-tungstovanadophosphate, [PV^VW₁₁O₄₀]⁴⁻, (HPA1) and heteropoly 10-tungstodivanadophosphate, [PV^VV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁵⁻, (HPA2) by thiourea has been investigated in HClO₄/phthalate/acetate buffer solutions spectrophotometrically at 25 °C in aqueous medium. The stoichiometry of the reaction is 1:1 in both cases. The HPAs are converted into the corresponding one-electron reduced heteropoly blues, namely, [PV^IVW₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻ and [PV^IVV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁶⁻, and thiourea is oxidised to formamidine disulphide. The reaction shows first-order dependence in both [HPA] and [thiourea] at constant pH. The rate–pH profile shows the participation of both the neutral and deprotonated forms of thiourea in the reaction. The reaction proceeds through an outer sphere electron transfer mechanism in which activation-controlled electron transfer is the rate-determining step. Self-exchange rate constants for the couples [PV^VW₁₁O₄₀]⁴⁻/[PV^IVW₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻, [PV^VV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁵⁻/[PV^IVV^VW₁₀O₄₀]⁶⁻ and H₂NCSNH₂/H₂NCS^·+NH₂ have been evaluated by Marcus theory.     

Studies on electron transfer reactions: reduction of heteropoly 11-tungstophosphovanadate(V) by <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-cysteine and thioglycolic acid in aqueous acid medium

The rates of the electron transfer reaction of l-cysteine and thioglycolic acid with the polyoxometalate, [PV^VW₁₁O₄₀]⁴⁻, have been measured spectrophotometrically in aqueous acid medium. The polyoxometalate oxidizes cysteine to cystine and thioglycolic acid to dithioglycolic acid and gets reduced to heteropoly blue, [PV^IVW₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻. The order of the reaction with respect to oxidant is one, whereas the reaction shows second order dependence on the substrates. The rate–pH profile shows that both the unionized and ionized thiol groups of the substrates are active species involved in electron transfer. A suitable mechanism has been proposed for the title reaction based on the results of kinetic studies.     

Base hydrolysis ofcis-(methyl/ethylamine)bis(ethylenediamine) (salicylato)cobalt(III) complexes

The kinetics of the base hydrolysis ofcis-[Co(en)₂(RNH₂)-(SalH)]²⁺ (R=Me or Et; SalH=HOC₆H₄CO ₂ ⁻ ) were investigated in aqueous ClO ₄ ⁻ in the 0.004–0.450 mol dm⁻³ [OH⁻] range, I=0.50 mol dm⁻³ at 30–40°C. The phenoxide species is hydrolysed via [OH⁻]-independent and [OH⁻]-dependent paths, the latter being first order in [OH⁻]. The high rate of alkali-independent hydrolysis of the phenoxide species is associated with high ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ values, in keeping with the SNICB mechanism involving an amido conjugate base generated by the phenoxide-assisted NH-deprotonation of the coordinated amine. The [OH⁻]-dependent path also involves the conventional SN₁ CB mechanism. The rate constant, k₁, for the SNICB path exhibits a steric acceleration with the increasing size of the non-labile alkylamine, whereas the rate constant, k₂, for the SN₁CB path shows a reverse trend. TMC 2578     

Synthesis and spectral properties of titanium(iv) polynuclear hydroxo complexes stabilized in solution by the [PW11O39]7− heteropolyanion

Unsaturated heteropolyanions (HPA) [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻ stabilize Ti^IV hydroxo complexes in aqueous solutions (Ti: PW₁₁ [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻⪯12, pH 1–3). Spectral studies (optical,¹⁷O and³¹P NMR, and IR spectra) and studies by the differential dissolution method demonstrated that Ti^IV hydroxo complexes are stabilized through interactions of polynuclear Ti^IV hydroxo cations with heteropolyanions [PW₁₁TiO₄₀ ⁵⁻ formed. Depending on the reaction conditions, hydroxo cations Ti _n−1O _x H _y ^m+ either add to oxygen atoms of the W−O−Ti bridges of the heteropolyanions to form the complex [PW₁₁TiO₄₀·Ti _n−1O _x H _y ] ^k− (at [HPA]=0.01 mol L⁻¹) or interact with Ti^IV of the heteropolyanions through the terminal o atom to give the polynuclear complexes [PW₁₁O₃₉Ti−O−Ti _n−1O _x H _y ]^q− (at [HPA]=0.2 mol L⁻¹). When the complexes of the first type were treated with H₂O₂, Ti^IV ions added peroxo groups. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 914–920, May, 1997.     

Antioxidant activity of chalcones: The chemiluminescence determination of the reactivity and the quantum chemical calculation of the energies and structures of reagents and intermediates

Six antioxidants from the class of chalcones (ArOH), compounds from which flavonoids are obtained in nature, were studied. The antiradical activity of chalcones and a number of related compounds was determined by a chemiluminescence method using the scavenging of peroxide radicals ROO^· + ArOH → ROOH + OAr^· (with the rate constant k ₇) in a model reaction of diphenylmethane (RH) oxidation. The structures and energies of the reagents and intermediates were determined by semiempirical quantum chemical (PM3, PM6) calculations. 3,4-Dihydroxychalcone and caffeic acid, which have a catechol structure, that is, two neighboring OH groups in phenyl ring B, exhibited high antioxidant activity (k ₇ ≈ 10⁷ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹); this is consistent with the lowest bond strengths D(ArO-H) of 79.2 and 76.6 kcal/mol, respectively. The abstraction of a hydrogen atom by the ROO^· radical is the main reaction path of these compounds; however, the low stoichiometric coefficients of inhibition (f = 0.3–0.7) suggest a contribution of secondary and/or side reactions of ArOH and OAr^·. In the other chalcones, the ArO-H bond is stronger (D(ArO-H) = 83–88 kcal/mol) and the antioxidant activity is lower (k ₇ = 10⁴–10⁵ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹).     

Kinetic studies on chromium-glycinato complexes in acidic and alkaline media

Two solid complexes, fac–[Cr(gly)₃] and [Cr(gly)₂(OH)]₂, (where gly is glycinato ligand) were prepared and their acid-catalysed aquation products were identified. The structure of [Cr(gly)₃] was solved by X-ray diffraction, revealing a cationic 3D sublattice with perchlorate anions inside its cavities. Acid-catalysed aquation of [Cr(gly)₃] and [Cr(gly)₂(OH)]₂ leads to the same inert product, [Cr(gly)₂(H₂O)₂]⁺, in a two-stages process. At the first stage, intermediate complexes, [Cr(gly)₂(O–glyH)(H₂O)]⁺ and [Cr(gly)₂(H₂O)–OH–Cr(gly)₂(H₂O)]⁺, are formed respectively. Kinetics of the first aquation stage of [Cr(gly)₃] were studied in HClO₄ solutions. The dependencies of the pseudo first-order rate constants on [H⁺] are as follows: k _obs1H = k ₀ + k ₁ K _p1[H⁺], where k ₀ and k ₁ are rate constants for the chelate-ring opening via spontaneous and acid-catalysed reaction paths, respectively, and K _p1 is the protonation constant. The proposed mechanism assumes formation of the reactive intermediate as a result of proton addition to the coordinated carboxylate group of the didentate ligand. Some kinetic studies on the second reaction stage, the one-end bonded glycine liberation, were also done. The obtained results were analogous to those for stage I. In this case, the proposed reactive species are intermediates, protonated at the carboxylate group of the monodentate glycine. Base hydrolysis of two complexes, [Cr(gly)₂(O–gly)(OH)]⁻ and [Cr(gly)₂(OH)₂]⁻, was studied in 0.2–1.0 M NaOH. The pseudo first-order rate constants, k _obsOH, were [OH⁻] independent in the case of [Cr(gly)₂(O–gly)(OH)]⁻, whereas those for [Cr(gly)₂(OH)₂]⁻ linearly depended on [OH⁻]. The reaction mechanisms were proposed, where the OH⁻ -catalysed reaction path was rationalized in terms of formation of the reactive conjugate base, [Cr(gly)₂(OH)(O)]²⁻, as a result of OH⁻ ligand deprotonation. Activation parameters were determined and discussed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of ferrocyanide by N-bromosuccinimide in aqueous acidic solution

The kinetics of oxidation of ferrocyanide by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous acidic medium over temperature range 20–35 °C, pH = 2.8–4.3, and ionic strength = 0.10–0.50 mol dm⁻³ over a range of [Fe²⁺] and [NBS]. The reaction exhibited first order dependence on both reactants and increased with increasing pH, [NBS], and [Fe²⁺]. The rate of oxidation obeys the rate law: d[Fe³⁺]/dt = [Fe(CN)₆]^4–[HNBS⁺]/(k ₂ + k ₃/[H⁺]). An outer-sphere mechanism has been proposed for the oxidation pathway of both protonated and deprotonated ferrocyanide species. Addition of both succinimide and mercuric acetate to the reaction mixture has no effect on the reaction rate under the experimental conditions. Mercuric acetate was added to the reaction mixture to act as scavenger for any bromide formed to ensure that the oxidation is entirely due to NBS oxidation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of base hydrolysis of chromium(III) complexes with oxalates and quinolinic acid

Base hydrolysis of [Cr(ox)₂(quin)]³⁻ (where quin²⁻ is N,O-bonded 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid dianion) causes successive ligand dissociation and leads to a formation of a mixture of oligomeric chromium(III) species, known as chromates(III). The reaction proceeds through [Cr(ox)(quin)(OH)₂]³⁻ and [Cr(quin)(OH)₄]³⁻ formation. Dissociation of oxalato ligands is preceded by the opening of the Cr-quin chelate-ring at the Cr–N bond. The kinetics of the chelate-ring opening and the first oxalate dissociation were studied spectrophotometrically, within the lower energy d–d band region at 0.4–1.0 M NaOH. The pseudo-first-order rate constants (k _obs0 and k _obs1) were calculated using SPECFIT software for an A → B → C reaction pattern. Additionally, kinetics of base hydrolysis of [Cr(ox)(quin)(OH)₂]³⁻ and cis-[Cr(ox)₂(OH)₂]³⁻ were studied. The determined pseudo-first-order rate constants were independent of [OH⁻]. A mechanism is postulated that the reactive intermediate with the one-end bonded quin ligand, [Cr(ox)₂(O-quin)(OH)]⁴⁻, formed in the first reaction stage, subsequently undergoes oxalates substitution. Kinetic parameters for the chelate-ring opening and the first oxalate dissociation were determined.     

Mechanistic Study on the Oxidation of Promazine and Chlorpromazine by Hexaimidazolcobalt(III) in Acidic Aqueous Media

The kinetics of the oxidation of promazine and chlorpromazine by hexaimidazolcobalt(III) were studied in the presence of a large excess of cobalt(III) and H⁺ ions using u.v.–vis. spectroscopy ([Co^III] = (1–6) × 10⁻³ m, [ptz] = (2.5–10) × 10⁻⁵ m, [H⁺] = 0.05–0.8 m, I = 1.0 m (H⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻), T = 333–353 K, l = 1 cm). In each case, the reversible reaction leads to formation of cobalt(II) species and a stable cationic radical. A linear dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k_obs) on [Co^III] with a non-zero intercept was established for both phenothiazine derivatives. A marked difference in the observed reaction rate for promazine and chlorpromazine is associated with the difference in its ability to undergo oxidation and is consistent with a trend in the redox potential changes for these reductants. The activation parameters for reactions studied were determined. Mechanistic consequences of all the results are discussed.     

Mixed-ligand chromium(III)-oxalate-pirydinedicarboxylate complexes: potential biochromium sources: kinetic studies in NaOH solutions and effect on 3T3 fibroblasts proliferation

Base hydrolysis of [Cr(ox)₂(pda)]³⁻ (where pda is N,O-bonded 2,4- and 2,5- pyridinedicarboxylic acid dianion) causes successive ligand dissociation and leads to formation of a mixture of oligomeric chromium(III) species, known as chromates(III). The main reaction path proceeds through [Cr(ox)(pda)(OH)₂]³⁻ and [Cr(pda)(OH)₄]³⁻ complexes. The kinetics of the first oxalate dissociation was studied spectrophotometrically, within the lower energy d–d band region, at 0.4–1.0 M NaOH. The character of spectroscopic changes was consistent with a consecutive reaction model, where the chelate-ring opening and the one-end bonded oxalato liberation are the first and the second reaction stages. The pseudo-first order rate constants (k _obs0 and k _obs1) were calculated using SPECFIT software for an A → B → C reaction pattern. Additionally, kinetics of base hydrolysis of [Cr(ox)₃]³⁻ were studied. The calculated rate constants were independent of [OH ⁻ ]. Kinetic parameters for the chelate-ring opening and the first oxalate dissociation were determined. Effect of the [Cr(ox)₂(pda)]³⁻ and [Cr(2,4-pda)₃]³⁻ complexes on 3T3 fibroblasts proliferation was studied. The results manifested low cytotoxicity of these complexes, which makes them promising candidates for dietary supplements.     

Kinetics and mechanism of bromide ions oxidation by cerium(IV) in sulphuric acid solutions revisited

Kinetics of Br⁻ anion oxidation by cerium(IV) species in aqueous H₂SO₄ solutions have been reexamined. The rate of reaction was determined spectrophotometrically based on a factor analysis of the absorbance – time data collected in the wavelength range 318–390 nm – the region characteristic for the cerium(IV) sulphato complexes. The data fit very well to a pseudo-first order dependence under a large molar excess of the reductant. The rate law of the form –d[Ce^IV]/dt = k[Ce^IV][Br^–]² has been obtained at constant H₂SO₄ concentration and ionic strength I = 2 m. The pseudo-first order rate constant decreases with an [H₂SO₄] increase from 0.1 to ca. 0.4 m range, then increases for higher [H₂SO₄]. The apparent activation parameters have been calculated from the third order rate constants k for different [H₂SO₄].     

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the electron-transfer reactions between diaquabisethylenediaminecobalt(III) and ethylenediaminetetraacetatocobaltate(III) with promazine in acidic aqueous media

The kinetics of the electron-transfer reactions between promazine (ptz) and [Co(en)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺ in CF₃SO₃H solution ([Co^III] = (2–6) × 10⁻³ m, [ptz] = 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ m, [H⁺] = 0.02 − 0.05 m, I = 0.1 m (H⁺, K⁺, CF₃SO ₃ ⁻ ), T = 288–308 K) and [Co(edta)]⁻ in aqueous HCl ([Co^III] = (1 − 4) × 10⁻³ m, [ptz] = 1 × 10⁻⁴ m, [H⁺] = 0.1 − 0.5 m, I = 1.0 m (H⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻), T = 313 − 333 K) were studied under the condition of excess Co^III using u.v.–vis. spectroscopy. The reactions produce a Co^II species and a stable cationic radical. A linear dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k _obs) on [Co^III] with a non-zero intercept was established for both redox processes. The rate of reaction with the [Co(en)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺ ion was found to be independent of [H⁺]. In the case of the [Co(edta)]⁻ ion, the k _obs dependence on [H⁺] was linear and the increasing [H⁺] accelerates the rate of the outer-sphere electron-transfer reaction. The activation parameters were calculated as follows: ΔH ^≠ = 105 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS ^≠ = 93 ± 11 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for [Co(en)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺; ΔH ^≠ = 67 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS ^≠ = − 54 ± 28 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for [Co(edta)]⁻.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of arenes in the presence of heteropoly acids and palladium(II) complexes supported on silica gel

Pd(II) complexes and twelfth-series heteropoly acids (HPA) H₉[PMo₆V₆O₄₀] and H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] supported on silica gel oxidize benzene and toluene at 95°C. The formation of methyldiphenylmethane in the oxidation of toluene on HPA/SiO₂ and (PdCl₂−HPA)/SiO₂ catalysts, KIE>1 for the toluene/toluene-d₈ pair, and greater rate for toluene than for benzene are in accord with a one-electron transfer mechanism. L. M. Litvinenko Institute of Physical Organic and Coal Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 70 R. Lyuksemburg ul., Donetsk 340114, Ukraine. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 249–252, July–August, 1999.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of L-Alanine by <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-bromophthalimide in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate

The kinetics of oxidation of L-Alanine (Ala) by N-bromophthalimide (NBP) was studied in the presence of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, in acidic medium at 308 K. The rate of reaction was found to have first-order dependence on [NBP], fractional order dependence on [Ala] and inverse fractional order dependence on [H⁺]. The addition of reduced product of the oxidant [Phthalimide] has decreased the rate of reaction. The rate of reaction increased with increase in inorganic salts concentration i.e., [Cl⁻] and [Br⁻], whereas a change in ionic strength of the medium and [Hg(OAc)₂] had no effect on oxidation velocity. The rate of reaction decreased with a decrease in dielectric constant of the medium. CH₃CN was identified as the main oxidation product of the reaction. The various activation parameters have been computed and suitable mechanism consistent with the experimental findings has also been proposed. The micelle-binding constant has been calculated. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2009, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 386–396. The article is published in the original.     

Studies on electron transfer reactions: reduction of heteropoly 10-tungstodivanadophosphate by <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-cysteine in aqueous acid medium

l-cysteine undergoes facile electron transfer with heteropoly 10-tungstodivanadophosphate, [ \textPV^\textV \textV^\textV \textW _{1 0} \textO _{4 0} ]^{5 -} , \left[ {{\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 0} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} } \right]^{5 - } , at ambient temperature in aqueous acid medium. The stoichiometric ratio of [cysteine]/[oxidant] is 2.0. The products of the reaction are cystine and two electron-reduced heteropoly blue, [PV^IVV^IVW₁₀O₄₀]⁷⁻. The rates of the electron transfer reaction were measured spectrophotometrically in acetate–acetic acid buffers at 25 °C. The orders of the reaction with respect to both [cysteine] and [oxidant] are unity, and the reaction exhibits simple second-order kinetics at constant pH. The pH-rate profile indicates the participation of deprotonated cysteine in the reaction. The reaction proceeds through an outer-sphere mechanism. For the dianion ⁻SCH₂CH(NH₃ ⁺)COO⁻, the rate constant for the cross electron transfer reaction is 96 M⁻¹s⁻¹ at 25 °C. The self-exchange rate constant for the ^- \textSCH₂ \textCH( \textNH₃ ⁺ )\textCOO ^- \mathord

Mechanistic Study of Oxidation of Palladium(II) by Cerium(IV) in Aqueous Acid

The kinetics of oxidation of Pd^II by Ce^IV have been studied spectrophotometrically in HClO₄ media at 40 °C. The reaction is first order each in [Ce^IV] and [Pd^II] at constant [H⁺]. Increasing [H⁺] accelerates the reaction rate with fractional order in [H⁺]. The initially added products, palladium(IV) and cerium(III) do not have any significant effect on the reaction rate. At constant acidity, increasing the added chloride concentration enhances the rate of reaction. H₃Ce(SO₄)₄⁻ and PdCl₄²⁻ are the active species of oxidant and reductant respectively. The possible mechanisms are proposed and the reaction constants involved have been determined.     

Kinetics of the heterobimetallic complexes formation in the reactions between chromium(III) macrocyclic species and [Fe(CN)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Superscript>4−</Superscript> ions

Formation of a singly bridged heterobimetallic Cr^III–NC–Fe^II anation product of the cis − [Cr(cycb)(H₂O)₂]³⁺ and trans − [Cr(cyca)(H₂O)₂]³⁺ complexes, where cyca and cycb are meso- and rac-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane respectively, by [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions is accompanied by an intensive absorbance increase within 390–470 nm due to an intermetal electron transition. A bell-shape of the pseudo-first order rate constants/pH profile observed for the reactions which have been studied under a large excess of the iron(II) complex is in accordance with the highest reactivity of the chromium(III) complexes in their monohydroxomonoaqua forms. The reaction mechanism has been discussed based on the determined rate law.     

Vanadium(V)-substituted Keggin-type heteropolyoxotungstophosphates as electron transfer and antimicrobial agents: oxidation of glutathione and sensitization of MRSA towards β-lactam antibiotics

Glutathione (GSH) undergoes facile electron transfer with vanadium(V)-substituted Keggin-type heteropolyoxometalates, [ \textPV^\textV \textW _{1 1} \textO _{4 0} ] ^{4 -} [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 1} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} ]^{{ 4 { - }}} (HPA1) and [ \textPV^\textV \textV^\textV \textW _{1 0} \textO _{4 0} ] ^{5 -} [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 0} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} ]^{{ 5 { - }}} (HPA2). The kinetics of these reactions have been investigated in phthalate buffers spectrophotometrically at 25 °C in aqueous medium. One mole of HPA1 consumes one mole of GSH and the product is the one-electron reduced heteropoly blue, [ \textPV^\textIV \textW _{1 1} \textO ₄₀ ] ^5- [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{IV}} {\text{W}}_{ 1 1} {\text{O}}_{ 40} ]^{ 5- } . But in the GSH-HPA2 reaction, one mole of HPA2 consumes two moles of GSH and gives the two-electron reduced heteropoly blue [ \textPV^\textIV \textV^\textIV \textW ₁₀ \textO ₄₀ ] ^7- [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{IV}} {\text{V}}^{\text{IV}} {\text{W}}_{ 10} {\text{O}}_{ 40} ]^{ 7- } . Both reactions show overall third-order kinetics. At constant pH, the order with respect to both [HPA] species is one and order with respect to [GSH] is two. At constant [GSH], the rate shows inverse dependence on [H⁺], suggesting participation of the deprotonated thiol group of GSH in the reaction. A suitable mechanism has been proposed and a rate law for the title reaction is derived. The antimicrobial activities of HPA1, HPA2 and [ \textPV^\textV \textV^\textV \textV^\textV \textW ₉ \textO _{4 0} ] ^{6 -} [ {\text{PV}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{V}}^{\text{V}} {\text{W}}_{ 9} {\text{O}}_{ 4 0} ]^{{ 6 { - }}} (HPA3) against MRSA were tested in vitro in combination with vancomycin and penicillin G. The HPAs sensitize MRSA towards penicillin G.     

Mechanistic study of iodide catalysed oxidation of l-glutamic acid by cerium(IV) in aqueous sulphuric acid medium

A minute quantity (10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³) of iodide catalysed oxidation of l-glutamic acid by Ce^IV has been studied in H₂SO₄ and SO ₄ ²⁻ media. The reaction was first order each in [Ce^IV] and [I⁻]. The order with respect to [l-glutamic acid] was less than unity (0.71). Increase in [H₂SO₄] decreased the reaction rate. The added HSO ₄ ⁻ and SO ₄ ²⁻ decreased the rate of reaction. The added product, succinic acid, had no effect on the reaction rate, whereas added Ce^III retarded the reaction. The ionic strength and dielectric constant did not have any significant effect on the rate of reaction. The active species of oxidant was Ce(SO₄)₂. A suitable mechanism was proposed. The activation parameters were determined with respect to the slow step of the mechanism. The thermodynamic quantities were also determined and discussed.