Complex dynamical behavior in a new chemical oscillator: The chlorite–thiourea reaction in a CSTR

The reaction between chlorite ion and thiourea has been studied both in a closed (batch) system and in a flow reactor (CSTR). The principal stoichiometry is given by In batch, the reaction displays an induction period, whose length is proportional to [CS(NH2)2]/[ClO ] [H+], followed by the rapid buildup and disappearance of a ClO2 intermediate. At [ClO ]/[CS(NH2)2] ratios between 2.5 and 3.5, a second peak in the ClO2 absorbance is observed. In the CSTR, this iodine‐free system displays simple and complex periodic oscillation, bistability, aperiodic oscillation, and birhythmicity.