The kinetics and mechanism of the chloride‐chlorate reaction

Abstract The kinetics of the reaction have been studied at 25°C. in strong acid solution; the effects of acidity, chloride, chlorate and chlorine are reported. A mechanism is postulated to interpret the peculiar features of this reaction as well as the stoichiometry and some of the kinetics of the parallel reaction The mechanism involves HClO 2 and HOCl as intermediates General rate expressions are derived for the formation of chlorine dioxide and chlorine, and the individual rate constants are calculated. An expression is obtained for the relationship between the ratio of chlorine dioxide to chlorine produced and the ratio of chlorate to chloride.