Abstract
An alternative route is proposed for the negative feedback pathway in the reaction of iodate, sulfite, and ferrocyanide ions in a stirred tank reactor. This route, based upon the reaction between IOf and Fe(CN)64~, gives better agreement between simulated and experimental results for both the batch (clock reaction) behavior and the periodic oscillation observed in flow systems than do earlier mechanisms. The revised mechanism resolves discrepancies between literature values of several rate constants and those employed in previous simulations. It also accounts for the high (visible) concentrations of I2 generated during the oscillation and is consistent with recent mechanistic work on the bromate-sulfite-ferrocyanide oscillator.