Belousov-Zhabotinskii oscillation reaction with glyceraldehyde

Abstract

An oscillation system of Belousov-Zhabotinskii type with aldehyde as substrate is described for the first time. Oscillations of the concentration of Mn(III) ions can be followed spectrophotometrically or potentiometrically with a Pt electrode in a relatively narrow concentration range of the substrate. In contrast to the analogous reaction with malonic acid, no oscillations of the concentration of Br- ions were detected by a bromide ion selective electrode. This together with the fact that the concentration of Mn(III) ions oscillates even at relatively high bromine concentrations suggests that oscillations of the concentration of the redox catalyst Mn(II)/Mn(III) are probably controlled by organic radicals rather than by Br- ions.