The kinetics of periodate oxidation of carbohydrates: a calorimetric approach.

A calorimetric approach is described for analysing the kinetics of periodate oxidation on a series of monosaccharidic substrates. Rate constants at several temperatures were calculated from the calorimetric decay curves that are proportional to the rate of conversion. Arrhenius plots provided the activation parameters for the various carbohydrates and a linear correlation was found between the values of enthalpy and entropy of activation. The dependence of the values of kinetic rates on stereochemistry is interpreted in terms of conformational probability of the reactive state. The suitability of the calorimetric method to track the kinetic process of slow reactions is emphasised, in particular its ability to monitor, directly and continuously, the course of the reaction.