Abstract
The kinetics of the oxidation of L-arginine by water-soluble form of colloidal manganese dioxide has been studied using visible spectrophotometry in aqueous as well as micellar media. To obtain the rate constants as functions of [L-arginine], [MnO
2
] and [HClO
4
], pseudo-first-order conditions are maintained in each kinetic run. The first-order-rate is observed with respect to [MnO
2
], whereas fractional-order-rates are determined in both [L-arginine] and [HClO
4
]. Addition of sodium pyrophosphate and sodium fluoride enhanced the rate of the reaction. The effect of externally added manganese(II) sulphate is complex. It is not possible to predict the exact dependence of the rate constant on manganese(II) concentration, which has a series of reactions with other reactants. The anionic surfactant SDS neither catalyzed nor inhibited the oxidation reaction, while in presence of cationic surfactant CTAB the reaction is not possible due to flocculation of reaction mixture. The reaction is catalyzed by the nonionic surfactant TX-100 which is explained in terms of the mathematical model proposed by Tuncay et al. Activation parameters have been evaluated using Arrhenius and Eyring equations. On the basis of observed kinetic results, a probable mechanism for the reaction has been proposed which corresponds to fast adsorption of the reductant and hydrogen ion on the surface of colloidal MnO
2
.