Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of chondroitin-4-sulfate polysaccharide by chromic acid in aqueous perchlorate solutions.

The kinetics of chromic acid oxidation of chondroitin-4-sulfate polysaccharide as sulfated carbohydrates at a constant ionic strength of 4.0 mol dm(-3) has been investigated, spectrophotometrically. The reaction kinetics showed a first-order dependence in chromic acid and fractional-first-order kinetics with respect to the chondroitin-4-sulfate concentration. The influence of [H(+)] on the reaction rates showed that the oxidation process is acid-catalyzed. Added Mn(2+) ions indicated the formation of Cr(IV) as intermediate species. A kinetic evidence for formation of 1:1 intermediate complex was revealed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and a tentative reaction mechanism in good consistent with the kinetic results obtained is discussed.