AbstractBenzylmalonic acid (BzMA) reacts via an enol mechanism with aqueous iodine to form rather stable iodobenzylmalonic acid. In the presence of iodate, which oxidizes iodide to di‐iodine, the reaction goes to completion. The kinetics of the reaction BzMA + I2 + IO3− + H+ have been studied and the results were interpreted with a suitable mechanism. In a mixture with acidic iodate, hydrogen peroxide, and manganous ions, BzMA can serve as a substrate for a Briggs–Rauscher‐type oscillating reaction. The behavior of this oscillator has been studied in detail. A mechanistic interpretation of the oscillations based on a new kinetic model is also given. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 357–365, 2002