Micellar Catalysis on the Redox Reaction of Ascorbic Acid-Vanadium(V) System

Stoichiometry of the redox reaction of vanadium(V) by ascorbic acid (H₂A) has been experimentally determined to be H₂A + 2V(V) → A + 2V(IV) + 2H ⁺ . Evidence of induced polymerization of acrylonitrile and the reduction of mercuric chloride indicates that a free-radical mechanism operates during the course of reaction. Vanadium(V) is only reduced to vanadium(IV). The kinetics of this redox reaction have been investigated spectrophotometrically at 35°C in acidic media of H₂SO₄. In this kinetic study we have observed the nature of vanadium(V)-H₂A interaction in presence of anionic surfactant of SDS. In V(V)-H₂A system, the addition of anionic surfactant (SDS) enhanced the reaction rate and shows catalytic effect. This trend was explained by the incorporation/solubilization of vanadium(V) and ascorbic acid in the Stern layer.