Trigger waves in iodate-driven oscillatory reaction systems

Abstract

Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional trigger-wave propagation in the systems (A) IO^–₃+ Ce⁴⁺/Mn²⁺+ mandelic acid + acetone + H₂SO₄+ ferroin/starch, (B) IO^–₃+ Ce⁴⁺/Mn²⁺+ acetylacetone + H₂SO₄+ ferroin/starch and (C) IO^–₃+ Ce⁴⁺/Mn²⁺+ mandelic acid + arsenite + H₂SO₄+ ferroin/starch has been investigated. Single red bands (with ferroin) and blue bands (with starch) propagate with velocity v given by the relation v=A exp (–E_a/RT)[H⁺_.]^–1₀[IO^–₃]^1/2₀ where A and E_a are constants. A is different for each of the three systems but E_a has the same value, 12.2+0.2 cal mol^–1, for both one-dimensional and two-dimensional waves.