β β-hydroxypropionic acid (dl-serine) by acid bromate: A kinetic study

Comparative study on Pd(II) and Ru(III) catalyzed oxidation of dl -serine and dl- threonine by acidic solution of potassium bromate in the presence of mercuric acetate, as a scavenger have been made in the temperature range of 30°-45°C.In case of both catalyst rate shows zero order kinetics in bromate (BrO - 3> ) and order of reaction is one with respect to substrate and Pd(II) and Ru(III) respectively.Increase in (Cl- ) showed positive effect, while (H+) showed zero effect. Negligible effect of mercuric acetate and ionic strength of the medium was observed. A transient complex, formed between (PdCl 2 ) and amino acid. (PdCl 2 ) being reactive species of Palladium(II) chloride in 1:1 ratio, disproportionates in a slow and rate determining step while in case of Ru(III) a transient complex, formed between (RuCl6) 3- and amino acid. ((RuCl6) 3- being reactive species of ruthenium (III) chloride) in 1:1 ratio, disproportionates in a slow and rate determining step various activation parameters have been calculated. A suitable mechanism in agreement with observed kinetics has been proposed.