Mechanistic study of the oxidation of N-phenyldiethanolamine by <Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(hydrogen periodato)argentate(III) complex anion

The kinetics of oxidation of phenyldiethanolamine (PEA) by a silver(III) complex anion, Ag(HIO₆)₂]⁵⁻, has been studied in an aqueous alkaline medium by conventional spectrophotometry. The main oxidation product of PEA has been identified as formaldehyde. In the temperature range 20.0–40.0 °C , through analyzing influences of OH⁻] and IO ₄ ⁻ ]_tot on the reaction, it is pseudo-first-order in Ag(III) disappearance with a rate expression: k _obsd = (k ₁ + k ₂OH⁻]) K ₁ K ₂PEA]/{f(OH⁻])IO ₄ ⁻ ]_tot + K ₁ + K ₁ K ₂ PEA]}, where k ₁ = (0.61 ± 0.02) × 10⁻² s⁻¹, k₂ = (0.049 ± 0.002) M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25.0 °C and ionic strength of 0.30 M. Activation parameters associated with k ₁ and k ₂ have also been derived. A reaction mechanism is proposed involving two pre-equilibria, leading to formation of an Ag(III)-periodato-PEA ternary complex. The ternary complex undergoes a two-electron transfer from the coordination PEA to the metal center via two parallel pathways: one pathway is spontaneous and the other is assisted by a hydroxide ion.