Abstract. The present paper deals with the kinetics and mechanism of Ru(III) catalyzed oxidation of     Ethylene glycol  in an alkaline solution of KBrO₃  carried out in the temperature range 30-45⁰C.Mercuric acetate has been used as a scavenger for Br- ion formed in the reaction mixture to prevent parallel oxidation by bromine. First order kinetics with respect to each [KBrO₃] and [Ru(III) chloride] was observed in the oxidation of Ethylene glycol. The reaction shows zeroth order  with respect to Ethylene glycol and [OH^-] , whereas a negative effect is observed for [Cl^-].

Negligible effect of mercuric acetate and ionic strength of the medium has been observed .The reactive species of Ru(III) in alkaline medium is [RuCl₂(H₂O)₃(OH)]. A suitable mechanism in conformity with the kinetic observation has been proposed.The various activation parameters such as energy of activation (∆E*), the Arrhenius factor (A), entropy of activation (∆S*) etc. were calculated from the rate measurements at 30, 35, 40 and 45⁰C.The rate has been derived on the basis of obtained data.
 

KEYWORDS: Kinetics, mechanism, oxidation, polyhydric alcohol, potassium bromate, Ru(III) catalyst.