Reaction pathways in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by copper(II).
The kinetics of the decomposition of H(2)O(2) catalyzed by Cu(II) has been studied by the initial-rate method in aqueous phosphate media at near physiological pH. The activity of the catalyst is increased by [Fe(CN)(6)](3-) and decreased by VO(3)(-), CrO(4)(2-) and Zn(II). Three reaction pathways are involved in the Cu(II)-H(2)O(2) reaction, the kinetic orders of the catalyst being 1 (rate constant k1), 2 (rate constant k2) and 3 (rate constant k3). The three pathways present fractional apparent orders (>1) in H(2)O(2) and base catalysis. The apparent activation energies associated to rate constants k1, k2 and k3 are 102+/-4, 65+/-8 and 61+/-5 kJ mol(-1). Free-radical chain mechanisms are proposed for the three pathways.
Departamento de Quimica Fisica, Facultad de Quimica, Universidad de Barcelona, Marti i Franques, 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. jperez@qf.ub.es
Joaquin F
JF
Perez-Benito