Prediction of the pH‐rate profile for dimethyl sulfide oxidation by hydrogen peroxide: The role of elusive H3O2+ Ion

Experimental kinetics of sulfide oxidation by hydrogen peroxide presents a pH‐dependent profile. In this article, it was carried out a detailed study of the mechanism and kinetics of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) oxidation by H₂O₂ in neutral, acid, and basic aqueous medium using ab initio calculations. The results point out that DMS oxidation in neutral aqueous medium occurs through its direct reaction with H₂O₂. In acid medium, cluster‐continuum model calculations shows that cluster is the best representation of the very reactive species. In basic medium, there is formation of the species. However, the pathway involving this species has high free energy barrier, making this pathway unfeasible. The theoretical pH‐rate profile is in good agreement with the experimental observations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.