Autocatalysis (Oxidation of oxalic acid by permanganate in acidic solution) -02

Overall reaction: 
\( \text{5 C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-} + 2 \text{MnO}_4^- + 16 \text{H}^+ \rightarrow 10 \text{CO}_2 + 2 \text{Mn}^{2+} + 8 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)

Mechanism

Step 01: Formation of the Mn(III) Complex
\( \text{MnO}_4^- + 4 \text{H}^+ \rightarrow \text{Mn}^{3+} + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} \) (slow)

Step 02: Oxidation of Oxalic Acid by Mn(III)
 \( \text{C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-} + \text{Mn}^{3+} \rightarrow \text{2 CO}_2 + \text{Mn}^{2+} \) (fast)

Step 03: Regeneration of Mn(III) from Mn(II)
 \( \text{Mn}^{2+} + \text{MnO}_4^- + 8 \text{H}^+ \rightarrow \text{Mn}^{3+} + 4 \text{H}_2\text{O}\) (fast)

Rate Law:
\( \text{Rate} = k[\text{MnO}_4^-][\text{C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-}] \)