Kinetic Studies on the Degradation of Alginic Acid by Hydrogen Peroxide in the Presence of Iron Salts.

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Abstract
The degradation of [Laminaria digitata] alginate by aqueous hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron salts has been followed by viscosity measurements, and the concomitant decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide was followed titrimetrically. The observed correlation between the rate of degradation of the alginate and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and iron salts suggests that the degradation is brought about by hydroxyl radicals, formed from the hydrogen peroxide according to the reactions postulated by Weiss. The rate of decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide in the presence of alginate or other carbohydrates is different from that expected on the basis of Weiss'' reactions, possibly due to the formation of a complex between the carbohydrate, the ferrous or ferric ions, and the hydrogen peroxide molecules.

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