Nonlinear dynamics in the oxidations of substituted thioureas I: The reaction of 4‐methyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazide with acidic iodate [1]

The substituted thiourea, 4‐methyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazide, was oxidized by iodate in acidic medium. In high acid concentrations and in stoichiometric excess of iodate, the reaction displays an induction period followed by the formation of aqueous iodine. In stoichiometric excess of methylthiosemicarbazide and high acid concentration, the reaction shows a transient formation of aqueous iodine. The stoichiometry of the reaction is: 4IO + 3CH₃NHC(S)NHNH₂ + 3H₂O → 4I⁻ + 3SO + 3CH₃NHC(O)NHNH₂ + 6H⁺ (A). Iodine formation is due to the Dushman reaction that produces iodine from iodide formed from the reduction of iodate: IO + 5I⁻ + 6H⁺ → 3I₂(aq) + 3H₂O (B). Transient iodine formation is due to the efficient acid catalysis of the Dushman reaction. The iodine produced in process B is consumed by the methylthiosemicarbazide substrate. The direct reaction of iodine and methylthiosemicarbazide was also studied. It has a stoichiometry of 4I₂(aq) + CH₃NHC(S)NHNH₂ + 5H₂O → 8I⁻ + SO + CH₃NHC(O)NHNH₂ + 10H⁺ (C). The reaction exhibits autoinhibition by iodide and acid. Inhibition by I⁻ is due to the formation of the triiodide species, I, and inhibition by acid is due to the protonation of the sulfur center that deactivates it to further electrophilic attack. In excess iodate conditions, the stoichiometry of the reaction is 8IO + 5CH₃NHC(S)NHNH₂ + H₂O → 4I₂ + 5SO + 5CH₃NHC(O)NHNH₂ + 2H⁺ (D) that is a linear combination of processes A and B. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 193–203, 2000