STUDY OF KINETICS OF THE OXIDATION OF LEVULINIC ACID BY Ce (IV)-PERCHLORATES IN PERCHLORIC ACID

The present manuscript deals the kinetics of the oxidation of levulinic acid by Ce (IV) perchlorates in perchloric acid. The reaction follows a first order rate dependence on the Ce (IV) concentration but the value of k1 decreases with the increasing concentration of Ce (IV). Evidence for complex formation between Ce (IV) and levulinic acid was obtained from the Michaelies-Menten reciprocal plots. This was further confirmed spectrophotometrically where the absorption intensity in the wave length region 212 mμ-216 mμ, was intensified as compared to absorption spectra of Ce(IV)perchlorate under identical conditions with an increase in [H+], the rate increases and a plot between [HClO4 ] -1 and k1-1 is a straight line intercepting the ordinate. The reaction shows a positive salt effect. A suitable mechanism has been postulated and the values of activation parameters are reported.