| Abstract: | The detailed kinetics of the reaction of toluidine blue {phenothiazine-5-ium, 3-amino-7(dimethylamino)-2-methyl chloride, tolonium chloride, TB+Cl−} with potassium bromate and with aqueous bromine reaction were studied. In most of the experiments, the kinetics were monitored by following the rate of consumption of TB+ at 590 nm with excess acid and bromate. The reaction exhibited complex kinetic behavior. Initial reaction was slow and after an induction time, the TB+ concentration decreased fast. It had first-order dependence on both TB+ and bromate, and second-order dependence on H+. Under excess bromate conditions, the stoichiometric ratio of TB+ to bromate was 1:1. Demethylated sulfoxides were found at the reaction products. Sharp increase in the overall potential synchronized with the increase in bromine levels and the fast depletion of [TB+]. The role of bromide ion and bromine in the reaction was established. A multi-step reaction mechanism is proposed consistent with the experimental results. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 111–120, 1998. |
