Mechanistic study of quinoliniumdichromate (QDC) oxidation of mercury(I) in aqueous sulfuric acid in the presence of micro amounts of palladium(II) - Autocatalysis in catalysis

The kinetics of oxidation of mercury(I) with quinoliniumdichromate (QDC) in the presence of micro amounts of palladium(II) catalyst in aqueous sulfuric acid medium has been studied. The active species of oxidant, reductant and catalyst in the reaction medium were understood to be HCrO4-, [Hg2(SO4)HSO4]− and PdCl+, respectively. The autocatalysis by one of the products, chromium(III), was observed.