Oxidation of D-Galacturonic Acid by Vanadium(V)

The kinetics of the oxidation of D-galacturonic acid by vanadium(V) in acid solution have been studied. The reaction is of the first order with respect to both vanadium(V) and the organic substrate. Formic acid and oxovanadium(IV) are the final reaction products. The reaction rate is increased with increasing acidity, suggesting that variously protonated vanadium(V) species are active in the substrate oxidation.