Kinetics of oxidation of thiocyanate by aqueous iodine

Abstract

The kinetics of oxidation of thiocyanate to sulphate by aqueous iodine in the pH range 9.2-12.5 have been studied using a spectrophotometric stopped flow technique. The reaction is general base-catalysed, having the rate law ��������������������� -d[I2]a/dt = ([SCN-][I3-]/[I-]2)Σ kB[B] where [I2]a is the total analytical concentration of iodine, [B] is the concentration of base, and where the summation is taken over all bases present. Rate constants, kB, and activation energies have been measured for the bases, OH-, PO43- and CO32-. ��� A mechanism involving the initial steps ����������������� I2+SCN- ↔ ISCN+I- �����������������(rapid equilibrium) ������������� ISCN+H2O+B → HOSCN+I- + HB+ �����������(rate determining) followed by rapid reactions of HOSCN with itself or with iodine is proposed.