Oxidation of L-lysine by diperiodatocuprate (III) in aqueous alkaline medium by the stopped flow technique

The kinetics of oxidation of L-lysine by diperiodatocuprate (III) (DPC) in alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 0.15 mol/dm3 was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction between DPC and L-lysine in an alkaline medium had a 1: 2 stoichiometry (L-lysine: DPC). The reaction was first order in [DPC] and less than first order in [L-lysine] and [alkali]. The addition of periodate had no effect on the rate of the reaction. The intervention of free radicals was observed in the reaction. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium was shown to proceed via a DPC-L-lysine complex. The main products were identified by spot test and spectral studies. The reaction constants involved in different steps of the mechanism were calculated. The activation parameters with respect to the slow step of the mechanism were computed and discussed, and thermodynamic values were also determined.