Ozonocatalytic decomposition of glyoxal and glyoxylic and formic acids in the presence of iron(III) ions

Rate constants of reactions of ozone with glyoxal, glyoxylic and formic acid in aqueous solutions at pH 1.5 were determined. It was shown that iron(III) in the form of ions accelerates oxidation of glyoxal and glyoxylic acid, but does not influence reaction between ozone and formic acid. It was established that the catalyst acts effectively if its concentration is comparable to the concentration of the oxidized substrate, the optimal stoichiometric ratio (Fe³⁺/substrate) being close to 1/3. The catalytic reaction mechanism was studied using a competitive chelate ligand, oxalic acid. We concluded that the catalytic activity of iron(III) in the investigated reaction was due to its ability to form chelate complexes in which the substrate was more easily oxidized by molecular ozone.