Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes iodide ions in acidic solution to form triiodide according to the overall reaction
H2O2+3I−+2H+→I3−+2H2O.
Previous kinetic studies strongly suggest that hypoiodous acid, HOI, is produced transiently during the reaction.
(a) Propose a plausible three-step mechanism that (i) contains HOI as an intermediate, (ii) contains no termolecular elementary steps, and (iii) sums to the overall balanced equation.
(b) Describe in detail an experimental procedure that could provide direct evidence for the presence of HOI during the reaction. Your description should identify the measurable signal and explain why it is attributable specifically to HOI.
(c) Explain how the successful detection of HOI would strengthen confidence in the mechanism you proposed in part (a).