The kinetic role of metal ions in environmentally relevant redox reactions of chlorite ion and sulfite ion

Abstract

A brief survey is given about the reactions of chlorite and sulfite ions with some of the most common transition metal ions. The interpretation of the complex kinetic patterns observed in these systems requires the use of comprehensive data treatment and simultaneous evaluation of all experimental results. In most cases, complex formation reactions are in the core of the catalytic redox cycles initiated by the metal ions. The environmental relevance of the kinetic models proposed for catalytic decomposition of chlorite ion and auto-oxidation of sulfite ion is discussed in detail.