Acid Autocatalysis Best Served Hot: The Chlorate–Sulfite–Gluconolactone System as a Thermochemical Clock

Abstract

AbstractThe autonomous activation of acid‐autocatalyzed sulfite–halogenate (iodate, bromate, chlorate) reactions is programmed using slow acid generators (δ‐gluconolactone GL, and 1,3‐propanesultone PrS). A remarkable correlation is found between the pH‐ and temperature‐time profiles, especially for the chlorate–sulfite–GL system. Further optimization of the latter resulted in a chemical system able to generate sudden temperature and pH changes after a tailorable induction time, that is a “thermochemical clock”.