Kinetics and mechanism of electron transfer reactions of aquothallium(III) perchlorate with aldopentoses

The kinetics of electron transfer reactions of aquo-thallium(III) perchlorate with D-xylose, D-arabinose and D-ribose have been studied under the pseudo-first order condition. The fractional order with respect to aldopentose concentrations suggest the Michaelis-Menten type of kinetics. The rate decreases with acid concentration, and is strongly inhibited by the complexing chloride, acetate ions and acetic acid. A free radical mechanism involving aldopentose derived free radical has proposed for these reactions. Rate law consistent with the experimental data has been also derived.