KINETICS OF REACTION BETWEEN MALACHITE GREEN AND HYDROXYL ION IN THE PRESENCE OF REDUCING SUGARS

The reaction was studied via pseudo-first-order kinetics using a UV-1800 Shimadzu spectrophotometer with a thermostated cell compartment and interfaced with a computer. The reaction showed first order with respect to malachite green and sugar and hydroxyl ion concentrations. However, the reaction was independent of ionic strength and showed no dependence on the salt effect, indicating an inner sphere mechanism for the reaction. There was no polymerization of the reaction mixture with acrylonitrile, indicating the absence of radicals in the course of the reaction. Michaelis-Menten plot indicated the presence of a reaction intermediate in the rate-determining step. The activation parameters of the reaction have been calculated and products were elucidated by FTIR spectroscopy. The stoichiometry of the reaction is 1:1. A mechanism consistent with the above facts has been suggested.