Peroxy Acid Oxidations: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study of Oxidative Decarboxylation of $\alpha$ -Keto Acids by Peroxomonophosphoric Acid

The kinetics of oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid and benzoylformic acid by peroxomonophosphoric acid (PMPA) in aqueous medium have been investigated. The reaction follows second order-first order each in PMPA and substrate concentration a t constant pH. The reactivity of different peroxo species in the oxidation has been determined. Activation energy and thermodynamic parameters have been computed. A plausible mechanism consistent with the observed results is proposed.