title: An organic-based pH oscillator.
abstract: In a recent paper, we suggested that the acid- or base-catalyzed dehydration of a hydrated carbonyl compound provides a suitable foundation for an organic-based pH oscillator. Here we present the first experimental example of such an oscillator in a flow reactor, utilizing the base-catalyzed dehydration of methylene glycol as a source of positive feedback (OH- autocatalysis) coupled with the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of gluconolactone for negative feedback (H+ production). The large amplitude oscillations (between pH 7 and 10) are reproduced in a kinetic model of the reaction. Such experiments present new possibilities in the design of pH oscillators.
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: McIlwaine
authors.forename: Stephen K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Annette F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000838:Anions; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D002625:Chemistry, Organic / Q000379:methods; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D005949:Glucose Oxidase / Q000737:chemistry; D006018:Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods*; D013447:Sulfites / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D006018:Glycols; D013447:Sulfites; D002244:Carbon; D005949:Glucose Oxidase