Bray–Liebhafsky and non-catalysed Briggs–Rauscher oscillating reactions

Abstract

In order to propose mechanisms of complicated chemical systems, it is necessary to study simpler subsystems. The mechanism we have proposed for the Bray–Liebhafsky (BL) oscillating reaction is based on kinetic studies of several reactions of iodine compounds between them and with hydrogen peroxide. Because the reactants of the non-catalysed Briggs–Rauscher (BR) oscillating reaction are the same as those of the BL reaction plus malonic acid, we propose now to extend the mechanism of the BL reaction to the BR reaction. With this aim, we add radical reactions of iodine compounds and of malonic acid. The choice of these reactions is based on our recent study of the unusual kinetics of the iodate reduction by high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.