Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of proline by periodate

Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation of proline by periodate has been studied at pH 1.40–8.83 and 30.0 °C. The reaction rate is first order in both periodate and amino acid, and the overall reaction follows second-order kinetics. There was no evidence for the formation of an appreciable amount of intermediate. The reaction rate is highest at pH 4–7 and the oxidation is catalysed by [Formula: see text] ions. The pH dependence of the reaction rate can be explained in terms of reaction of periodate monoanion and the protonated and dipolar forms of the amino acid. The mechanism proposed and the derived rate law are consistent with the observed kinetics. The rate constants obtained from the derived rate law are in agreement with the observed rate constants, thus justifying the rate law and the proposed mechanistic scheme. Keywords: oxidation of proline, oxidation by periodate.