Ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of propane-1,3-diol by potassium periodate was studied in aqueous
perchloric acid medium. Orders of reaction with respect to concentrations of oxidant, substrate, acid
and catalyst were determined. First order in oxidant and catalyst concentrations, and inverse fractional
order in acid medium were observed. In addition, substrate inhibition (i.e. a decrease in reaction rate
with an increase in substrate concentration) was observed. Effect of addition of salt and solvent was
studied. Based on the studies of temperature variation, Arrhenius parameters were calculated. Plausible
mechanism was also proposed based on observed kinetics.