Influence of ethanol on catalytic properties of vanadium (5) compounds in the reaction of hydrazine oxidation by cerium (4) sulfate

A study was made of the effect of ethyl alcohol on the rate of oxidation of hydrazine by cerium sulphate in the presence and in the absence of vanadium compounds. The addition of ethyl alcohol accelerates the oxidation reaction. In the absence of the vanadium compounds acting as catalyst, the increase in the reaction rate is due to the formation of an intermediate complex between the oxidizing agent and the ethyl alcohol. The equilibrium constant for the reaction forming the intermediate complex with composition 1:1 is 0.70+-0.05, while the constant for the rate of decomposition of the intermediate product is 0.24 min-1. In the presence of the vanadium compounds an intermediate complex is formed between the catalyst and the ethyl alcohol. The equilibrium constant for the reaction forming this complex is 0.41+-0.03, and the constant for the rate of decomposition thereof is 0.44x105min-1. (author)