Kinetics of sulfite-induced anaerobic degradation of epinephrine.

The rate constant-pH profile of the rate of sulfite-induced disappearance of epinephrine from an aqueous solution under anaerobic conditions was determined at 81 degrees in the 3.63-5.00 pH range at the ionic strength of 0.2. The profile shows a linear relationship with a positive slope. The anaerobic rate shows buffer catalysis above pH 4.4 Metabisulfite was found to be more catalytic than either bisulfite or acetone bisulfite. The concentration of epinephrine used was 5.5 times 10- minus 5 mole/liter.