Removal of toxic tellurium (IV) compounds via bioreduction using flucloxacillin in aqueous acidic medium: A kinetic and mechanistic approach

This paper describes a novel method for the removal of potassium tellurite (TeIV), a toxic tellurium (IV) compound, via its bioreduction using the drug flucloxacillin (Flx) in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The kinetics of the bioreduction process were monitored using UV–Vis absorption spectra at an ionic strength of 2.0 mol dm−3 and 298 K. The reaction between TeIV and Flx was set at a 1:1 stoichiometry. The reduction reaction followed first-order kinetics for [Flx] and fractional-first-order kinetics for [TeIV] and [H+]. The effects of ionic strength and relative permittivity of the reaction medium were also explored. Supplementation with divalent transition metal ions enhanced the reduction rate. The reaction products were identified, in order of their stoichiometric results, spot tests and FT-IR spectra as 3-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-5-methylisoxazol-4-carbocylic acid, 5,5-dimethyl-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxlic acid, ammonium ion, carbon dioxide and elemental tellurium (Te0). The reaction rate dependence on temperature was studied, and the activation and thermodynamic parameters were assessed and discussed. The derived rate-law expression was found to be in excellent accordance with the acquired investigational outcomes. A conceivable reaction mechanism has been provided, which includes a reaction between the protonated flucloxacillin (Flx+) and tellurous acid (H2TeO3) as the essential reactive species, resulting in the construction of an intermediate complex. Such complex decays in the rate-determining step to yield the final reaction products. •Kinetics of removal of toxic tellurite using flucloxacillin antibiotic was studied.•This study presents a novel treatment method with a dual benefit for the environment.•The reaction products were identified and the reaction mechanism was suggested.•The activation and thermodynamic parameters were estimated and confirmed.•The derived rate-law was in a good agreement with the acquired outcomes.