Mechanistic Aspects of Reduction of Ditelluratocuprate (III) by α‐Hydroxy Acids in Alkaline Medium

Abstract

AbstractThe kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of lactic acid, glycolic acid and mandelic acid by tellurate complex of trivalent copper in alkaline medium was studied. The kinetics were monitored by following the disappearance of Cu (III) spectrophotometrically at 405 nm. The reactions are first order in each [reactant] and fractional order in [ligand] and [OH−]. The results are discussed with reference to electron density on ‐OH− or ‐COO substrate sites and probable mechanism suggested.