PRIMARY PROCESS OF ILLUMINATION EFFECT ON THE RU(BPY)3(2+)-CATALYZED BELOUSOV-ZHABOTINSKII REACTION

The primary process for the influence of light on the Ru(bpy)3(2+)-catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction system was investigated. The wavelength dependence of the illumination effect on oscillations was found to be in good correlation with the absorption spectrum of Ru(bpy)3(2+). The dynamic behavior of bromide ion was measured simultaneously with that of Ru(bpy)3(2+) during illumination on the oscillatory reaction and the acidic bromate-Ru(bpy)3(2+) systems. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect of illumination results from the formation of bromide ion in the reaction of the excited state of Ru(bpy)3(2+) with bromate.