IChO 2016 · Theory problem 4

Kinetics: water treatment and degradation of pharmaceutical products

Application of kinetic studies in water treatment

Industrial waste is a major cause of water pollution and kinetic studies are carried out in a laboratory to design effluent treatment. 1,4-dioxane, more commonly known as dioxane (\(\ce{C4H8O2}\)), an industrial solvent and by-product, is a significant water contaminant. It can be oxidised to hazard free chemicals using oxidants such as peroxodisulfate, ozone or hydrogen peroxide.

The data obtained in the kinetic study of oxidation of dioxane with potassium peroxodisulfate (\(\ce{K2S2O8}\)) as oxidant and \(\ce{AgNO3}\) as catalyst at \(T=303.15\ \mathrm{K}\) are given below. The reaction was monitored by the estimation of unreacted peroxodisulfate. The concentration of \(\ce{AgNO3}\) used in this study was \(1.00\cdot10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}\).

Trial Dioxane / \(\mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}\) \(\ce{K2S2O8}\) / \(\mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}\) Initial rate / \(\mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}\,min^{-1}}\)
1 0.0100 2.50 \(1.661\cdot10^{-2}\)
2 0.0100 5.10 \(3.380\cdot10^{-2}\)
3 0.00500 13.8 \(9.200\cdot10^{-2}\)
4 0.0110 13.8 \(9.201\cdot10^{-2}\)

In many countries the accepted maximum level of dioxane in drinking water is specified as \(0.35\ \mathrm{\mu g\,dm^{-3}}\).

A water sample contains an initial dioxane concentration of \(40.00\ \mathrm{\mu g\,dm^{-3}}\). Assume that 1 mol dioxane requires 1 mol of peroxodisulfate for oxidation. The concentration of \(\ce{AgNO3}\) used in this study was \(1.00\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}\).

4.1.1. Calculate the time in minutes the oxidation process has to continue in order to reach the accepted level of dioxane at 303.15 K if the initial concentration of \(\ce{K2S2O8}\) is \(5.0\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}\). Assume that the rate law obtained from the data above is valid under these conditions.

Various mechanisms have been proposed for the peroxodisulfate oxidation of dioxane. Misra and Ghosh (1963) proposed the following mechanism:

Figure 1

4.1.2 Assuming Ag(III) to be in steady state, deduce the rate equation for the oxidation of dioxane.

4.1.3 Which of the following is/are correct?

A) The rate equation based on the mechanism given in 4.1.2, at very high concentrations of dioxane, is consistent with the experimental data in 4.1.1.

B) The rate equation based on the mechanism given in 4.1.2, at very low concentrations of dioxane, is consistent with the experimental data in 4.1.1.

C) The units of the observed rate constant are \(\mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\) at very high concentrations of dioxane.

D) The units of the observed rate constant are \(\mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\) at very low concentrations of dioxane.

Degradation of pharmaceutical products – a kinetic overview

Kinetic studies are important in deciding the shelf life of a pharmaceutical product. Several chemical reactions can affect the shelf life of pharmaceutical products and the rates of these reactions depend on conditions such as pH, temperature, humidity.

Lysine acetylsalicylate (LAS) is prescribed as a pain killer and anti-inflammatory drug under the brand name Aspegic. LAS on hydrolysis forms lysine salicylate and acetic acid.

Figure 2

Hydrolysis of LAS can proceed via three different pathways (a) acid catalysed, (b) uncatalysed and (c) base catalysed.

If [LAS] denotes the concentration of LAS at time \(t\), the overall rate of the hydrolysis reaction can be written as

\[ -\frac{d[\mathrm{LAS}]}{dt} = k_{\mathrm H}[\mathrm{LAS}][\ce{H+}] +k_{\mathrm O}[\mathrm{LAS}] +k_{\mathrm{OH}}[\mathrm{LAS}][\ce{OH-}] \]

where \(k_{\mathrm H}\), \(k_{\mathrm O}\) and \(k_{\mathrm{OH}}\) are the rate constants of the acid catalysed, uncatalysed and base catalysed pathways of hydrolysis, respectively. The overall rate constant is defined as:

\[ -\frac{d[\mathrm{LAS}]}{dt} =k_{\mathrm{obs}}[\mathrm{LAS}] \]

4.2.1 Write an expression for \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\) in terms of \(k_{\mathrm H}\), \(k_{\mathrm O}\), \(k_{\mathrm{OH}}\) and \([\ce{H+}]\).

Hydrolysis of LAS was carried out at 298.15 K at various pH values (0.50 to 13.0). A very low initial concentration of LAS ensured that the pH did not change during the course of the reaction.

The following graph shows the pH dependence of the hydrolysis of LAS.

Figure 3

4.2.2 Which of the following is/are correct?

A) \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\approx k_0\) at pH = 12

B) \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\approx k_0\) at pH = 5.0

C) The rate of the reaction increases when the pH is changed from 0.50 to 1.0.

D) The rate of the reaction increases when the pH is changed from 10 to 12.

4.2.3 Using the diagram and the data given below, calculate \(k_{\mathrm H}\), \(k_0\) and \(k_{\mathrm{OH}}\). Make sure to specify the units.

pH 1.300 5.300 12.180
\(\log(k_{\mathrm{obs}}/\mathrm{min^{-1}})\) −3.886 −4.000 −1.726

Acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin is a medicine often used for reducing fever, pain and inflammation. Like LAS, the hydrolysis of aspirin can also take different pathways depending on the pH. The pH rate profile of aspirin hydrolysis at 333.15 K is given below:

Figure 4

The following are possible reactions for the hydrolysis of aspirin. Depending on the pH, one or more of these reactions will predominate.

Figure 5

4.3.1 Using the pH-rate profile diagram and the reactions given above, state which of the following statements is/are correct. (\(\mathrm{p}K_{\mathrm a}\) of aspirin = 3.57 at 333.15 K)

a) In the region C-D, reaction IV is predominant

b) In the region C-D, reaction V is predominant

c) In the region D-E reaction VI is predominant

d) In the region A-B, reaction II is predominant

The plot of \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\) vs pH for the hydrolysis of aspirin has been confirmed to show a minimum at a particular pH. At 290.15 K the following rate constants for reactions I, II and III were determined:

\(k_{\mathrm H}\) (reaction I) \(k_0\) (reaction II) \(k_{\mathrm{OH}}\) (reaction III)
\(1.99\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,day^{-1}}\) \(2.29\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{day^{-1}}\) \(3.18\times10^9\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,day^{-1}}\)

The ionic product of water at 290.15 K can be taken as \(1.0\times10^{-14}\).

4.3.2 Assuming that only reactions I, II and III occur, calculate the value of the pH at the minimum.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

Here \(D\) denotes dioxane and \(K_{\mathrm w}=[\ce{H+}][\ce{OH-}]\).

  • 4.1.1: \(t\approx14.2\ \mathrm{min}\).
  • 4.1.2: \[ -\frac{d[D]}{dt} = \frac{k_1k_3[\ce{S2O8^2-}][\ce{Ag+}][D]} {k_2[\ce{SO4^2-}]^2+k_3[D]}. \]
  • 4.1.3: A and C.
  • 4.2.1: \[ k_{\mathrm{obs}} =k_{\mathrm H}[\ce{H+}]+k_0+ \frac{k_{\mathrm{OH}}K_{\mathrm w}}{[\ce{H+}]}. \]
  • 4.2.2: B and D.
  • 4.2.3: \[ k_{\mathrm H}\approx5.99\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}, \] \[ k_0\approx1.00\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}},\qquad k_{\mathrm{OH}}\approx1.24\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}. \]
  • 4.3.1: b and c.
  • 4.3.2: \(\mathrm{pH}_{\min}\approx2.40\).

Solution

The chemical identities used below are listed here. Disconnected SMILES components represent the ions of a salt. The lysine salts retain the protonation form drawn in the problem; the drawing does not specify lysine stereochemistry.

Species SMILES
1,4-Dioxane O1CCOCC1
Potassium peroxodisulfate [K+].[K+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS(=O)(=O)[O-]
Peroxodisulfate ion [O-]S(=O)(=O)OOS(=O)(=O)[O-]
Silver(I) nitrate [Ag+].[O-][N+](=O)[O-]
Silver(I) ion [Ag+]
Silver(III) ion [Ag+3]
Sulfate ion [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-]
Hydrogen ion (proton) [H+]
Water O
Hydronium ion [OH3+]
Hydroxide ion [OH-]
Lysine acetylsalicylate (LAS) CC(=O)Oc1ccccc1C(=O)[O-].[NH3+]CCCCC(N)C(=O)O
Lysine salicylate O=C([O-])c1ccccc1O.[NH3+]CCCCC(N)C(=O)O
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) CC(=O)Oc1ccccc1C(=O)O
Acetylsalicylate ion CC(=O)Oc1ccccc1C(=O)[O-]
Salicylic acid O=C(O)c1ccccc1O
Salicylate ion O=C([O-])c1ccccc1O
Acetic acid CC(=O)O
Acetate ion CC(=O)[O-]

4.1.1

Write the empirical rate law at the specified catalyst concentration as

\[ r=k_{\mathrm{app}}[\ce{S2O8^2-}]^m[D]^n. \]

Trials 1 and 2 have the same dioxane concentration, so

\[ m= \frac{\ln(3.380/1.661)}{\ln(5.10/2.50)} =0.9965\approx1. \]

Trials 3 and 4 have the same peroxodisulfate concentration, so

\[ n= \frac{\ln(9.201/9.200)}{\ln(0.0110/0.00500)} \approx0. \]

Thus the reaction is first order in peroxodisulfate and zero order in dioxane:

\[ r=k_{\mathrm{app}}[\ce{S2O8^2-}]. \]

Using trial 1,

\[ k_{\mathrm{app}} = \frac{1.661\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}\,min^{-1}}} {2.50\ \mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}}} = 6.644\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}}. \]

The other trials give closely agreeing values. Both the kinetic experiments and the water-treatment sample use

\[ [\ce{AgNO3}]=1.00\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mmol\,dm^{-3}} =1.00\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}, \]

so the empirical constant applies directly under the stated assumption.

Using \(M(\ce{C4H8O2})\approx88.1\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\),

\[ [D]_0 = \frac{40.00\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{g\,dm^{-3}}} {88.1\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}} = 4.54\times10^{-7}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}, \]

\[ [D]_f = \frac{0.35\times10^{-6}}{88.1} = 3.97\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \]

The stipulated 1:1 stoichiometry gives the final peroxodisulfate concentration:

\[ \begin{aligned} [\ce{S2O8^2-}]_f &=[\ce{S2O8^2-}]_0-\bigl([D]_0-[D]_f\bigr)\\ &=5.0\times10^{-6}-4.50\times10^{-7}\\ &=4.55\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \end{aligned} \]

Integrating the first-order disappearance of peroxodisulfate,

\[ \ln\frac{[\ce{S2O8^2-}]_0}{[\ce{S2O8^2-}]_f} =k_{\mathrm{app}}t. \]

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{ t= \frac{\ln(5.0\times10^{-6}/4.55\times10^{-6})} {6.644\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}}} \approx14.2\ \mathrm{min}. } \]

4.1.2

The intermediate \(\ce{Ag^3+}\) is formed by the forward first step and consumed by its reverse and by oxidation of dioxane. Its steady-state equation is

\[ \frac{d[\ce{Ag^3+}]}{dt} = k_1[\ce{S2O8^2-}][\ce{Ag+}] -k_2[\ce{Ag^3+}][\ce{SO4^2-}]^2 -k_3[\ce{Ag^3+}][D] \approx0. \]

The squared sulfate concentration follows from the two sulfate ions in the reverse elementary step. Rearranging,

\[ [\ce{Ag^3+}] = \frac{k_1[\ce{S2O8^2-}][\ce{Ag+}]} {k_2[\ce{SO4^2-}]^2+k_3[D]}. \]

Dioxane is consumed in the second step, giving

\[ -\frac{d[D]}{dt}=k_3[\ce{Ag^3+}][D]. \]

Hence

\[ \boxed{ -\frac{d[D]}{dt} = \frac{k_1k_3[\ce{S2O8^2-}][\ce{Ag+}][D]} {k_2[\ce{SO4^2-}]^2+k_3[D]}. } \]

Under the same steady-state approximation, the net disappearance rate of peroxodisulfate equals this rate.

4.1.3

At very high dioxane concentration,

\[ k_3[D]\gg k_2[\ce{SO4^2-}]^2, \]

so

\[ r\approx k_1[\ce{S2O8^2-}][\ce{Ag+}]. \]

This is zero order in dioxane and first order in peroxodisulfate, agreeing with the experimental data at fixed catalyst concentration. A is true.

The coefficient in this limiting mechanistic law is \(k_1\). Its units follow directly from the rate law:

\[ [k_1] = \frac{\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}\,s^{-1}}} {(\mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}})^2} = \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}. \]

Thus C is true. The fixed-catalyst coefficient used in 4.1.1 is instead \(k_{\mathrm{app}}=k_1[\ce{Ag+}]\), with units of inverse time.

At very low dioxane concentration,

\[ k_3[D]\ll k_2[\ce{SO4^2-}]^2, \]

and

\[ r\approx \frac{k_1k_3}{k_2} \frac{[\ce{S2O8^2-}][\ce{Ag+}][D]} {[\ce{SO4^2-}]^2}. \]

This predicts first-order dependence on dioxane, so B is false.

The elementary constants have units

\[ [k_1]=[k_3]=\mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}},\qquad [k_2]=\mathrm{dm^6\,mol^{-2}\,s^{-1}}. \]

Consequently, the coefficient \(k_1k_3/k_2\) in the displayed low-dioxane law has units \(\mathrm{s^{-1}}\). If the sulfate concentration is held fixed and absorbed into that coefficient, its units become \(\mathrm{dm^6\,mol^{-2}\,s^{-1}}\). Thus D is false for the limiting mechanistic law with the silver concentration explicit.

\[ \boxed{\text{A and C}} \]

4.2.1

Write \(k_0\) for the uncatalysed constant, also printed as \(k_{\mathrm O}\) in the statement. Factoring out \([\mathrm{LAS}]\) gives

\[ k_{\mathrm{obs}} = k_{\mathrm H}[\ce{H+}]+k_0+k_{\mathrm{OH}}[\ce{OH-}]. \]

Since

\[ [\ce{OH-}]=\frac{K_{\mathrm w}}{[\ce{H+}]}, \]

the required expression is

\[ \boxed{ k_{\mathrm{obs}} = k_{\mathrm H}[\ce{H+}]+k_0+ \frac{k_{\mathrm{OH}}K_{\mathrm w}}{[\ce{H+}]}. } \]

At fixed pH, all three contributions are constant, giving first-order disappearance of LAS.

4.2.2

At pH 12, the rising alkaline branch indicates a large base-catalysed contribution, so \(k_{\mathrm{obs}}\not\approx k_0\): A is false.

At pH 5.0, the graph lies on the nearly horizontal plateau, where uncatalysed hydrolysis dominates: B is true.

Increasing the pH from 0.50 to 1.0 decreases \([\ce{H+}]\) and the acid-catalysed contribution. The graph shows a decreasing rate constant: C is false.

Increasing the pH from 10 to 12 increases \([\ce{OH-}]\) and the base-catalysed contribution: D is true.

\[ \boxed{\text{B and D}} \]

4.2.3

At 298.15 K, use

\[ K_{\mathrm w}=1.0\times10^{-14}\ \mathrm{mol^2\,dm^{-6}}. \]

The measured rate constants are

\[ \begin{aligned} k_{\mathrm{obs}}(1.300)&=10^{-3.886} =1.30017\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}},\\ k_{\mathrm{obs}}(5.300)&=10^{-4.000} =1.00000\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}},\\ k_{\mathrm{obs}}(12.180)&=10^{-1.726} =1.87932\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

At pH 5.300, the plateau gives

\[ \boxed{k_0\approx1.00\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{min^{-1}}.} \]

At pH 1.300, the hydroxide contribution is negligible, but the uncatalysed contribution must be retained:

\[ k_{\mathrm H} \approx \frac{k_{\mathrm{obs}}-k_0}{[\ce{H+}]}. \]

Therefore,

\[ \begin{aligned} k_{\mathrm H} &\approx \frac{1.30017\times10^{-4}-1.00000\times10^{-4}} {10^{-1.300}}\\ &= 5.989\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Thus

\[ \boxed{k_{\mathrm H}\approx5.99\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}.} \]

At pH 12.180,

\[ [\ce{OH-}] =10^{12.180-14.000} =1.51356\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \]

The acid-catalysed contribution is negligible, so

\[ \begin{aligned} k_{\mathrm{OH}} &\approx \frac{k_{\mathrm{obs}}-k_0}{[\ce{OH-}]}\\ &= \frac{1.87932\times10^{-2}-1.00000\times10^{-4}} {1.51356\times10^{-2}}\\ &=1.23505\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Hence

\[ \boxed{k_{\mathrm{OH}}\approx1.24\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,min^{-1}}.} \]

Solving all three simultaneous equations while retaining every contribution gives the same quoted results.

4.3.1

Aspirin and its conjugate base are related by

\[ \ce{CH3COOC6H4COOH <=> H+ + CH3COOC6H4COO-}. \]

Thus

\[ \frac{[\text{acetylsalicylate}]}{[\text{aspirin}]} = 10^{\mathrm{pH}-3.57}. \]

Below the \(\mathrm pK_{\mathrm a}\), neutral aspirin predominates; above it, acetylsalicylate increasingly predominates.

In region C–D, the substrate is mainly acetylsalicylate and the rate is approximately independent of pH. This supports reaction V, its hydrolysis by water:

\[ \ce{CH3COOC6H4COO- + H2O -> HOC6H4COOH + CH3COO-}. \]

Reaction IV involves hydronium and would produce a decreasing rate as pH rises once the anionic substrate predominates. Therefore a is false and b is true.

In region D–E, the rate increases strongly with pH. The substrate remains acetylsalicylate, while hydroxide concentration increases. This supports reaction VI:

\[ \ce{CH3COOC6H4COO- + OH- -> HOC6H4COO- + CH3COO-}. \]

Therefore c is true.

In region A–B, aspirin is mainly neutral and the rate falls as the solution becomes less acidic. This is characteristic of acid-catalysed reaction I:

\[ \ce{CH3COOC6H4COOH + H3O+ -> HOC6H4COOH + CH3COOH + H+}. \]

Reaction II, hydrolysis of neutral aspirin by water, would give an approximately pH-independent contribution in this region. Therefore d is false.

All three displayed hydrolysis equations conserve atoms and charge.

\[ \boxed{\text{b and c}} \]

4.3.2

Under the stipulated model containing only reactions I, II and III,

\[ k_{\mathrm{obs}} = k_{\mathrm H}[\ce{H+}] +k_0 +\frac{k_{\mathrm{OH}}K_{\mathrm w}}{[\ce{H+}]}. \]

Let \(h=[\ce{H+}]>0\). At the minimum,

\[ \frac{dk_{\mathrm{obs}}}{dh} = k_{\mathrm H}-\frac{k_{\mathrm{OH}}K_{\mathrm w}}{h^2} =0. \]

Therefore,

\[ h_{\min} = \sqrt{\frac{k_{\mathrm{OH}}K_{\mathrm w}}{k_{\mathrm H}}}. \]

The stationary point is a minimum because

\[ \frac{d^2k_{\mathrm{obs}}}{dh^2} = \frac{2k_{\mathrm{OH}}K_{\mathrm w}}{h^3}>0. \]

Substitution gives

\[ \begin{aligned} [\ce{H+}]_{\min} &= \sqrt{ \frac{ (3.18\times10^9\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,day^{-1}}) (1.0\times10^{-14}\ \mathrm{mol^2\,dm^{-6}}) }{ 1.99\ \mathrm{dm^3\,mol^{-1}\,day^{-1}} } }\\ &= 3.9975\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{mol\,dm^{-3}}. \end{aligned} \]

Hence

\[ \boxed{ \mathrm{pH}_{\min} =-\log_{10}(3.9975\times10^{-3}) =2.3982\approx2.40. } \]

At this minimum, the acid- and base-catalysed contributions are equal. The constant \(k_0\) changes the minimum rate but not its pH.

The solution was checked against the official solution.