Oxidation of L-cystine by chromium(VI) - a kinetic study

Abstract

The kinetics of the title reaction was studied spectrophotometrically in HClO₄ medium at 380 nm. The data suggested that the order with respect to cystine is fractional, whereas chromium(VI) follows first order kinetics. The reaction was second order in [H⁺]. Cysteic acid was found to be the main product of oxidation. A suitable mechanism was proposed leading to the rate law. The activation parameters were computed using linear least squares method.

KEY WORDS: Oxidation, Cystine, Chromium(VI)

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(2), 305-310.