Analysis of the Dependence on Temperature of the Frequency of Oscillation of the Belousov-Zhabotinskii Reaction

Abstract

The frequency of oscillation of the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction (oxidation of malonic acid by bromate ions in acidified solution containing cerium ions) depends on the initial concentration of reactants, but in each case, a plot of log (frequency) against reciprocal temperature is linear. The calculated activation energies for eight solutions cover a relatively small range. These findings are examined in the light of proposed reaction schemes. Calculations indicate that the frequency is controlled to a significant extent by the rate of reaction between bromide and bromate ions to form HOBr and HBrO2.