The Cerium(IV)-Induced Decomposition of Peroxymonosulfate: Acid Dependence and Peroxydisulfate Formation

Abstract

An improved rate law for the Ce^IV-induced decomposition of HOOSO₃^- in aqueous H₂SO₄ has been established by study of the rate as a function of acidity. In aqueous HClO₄ the rate is much faster but a rate law could not be obtained. Peroxydisulfate, by a variant of the As^III and Fe^II analysis of the redox system, has been shown to be formed in the amount of half of the Ce^IV lost. A free-radical chain mechanism is postulated.