Ru(III) acts as a catalyst in the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid by iodate. The reaction is found to be first order with respect to [oxidant] and [catalyst] and fractional order in [pyruvic acid]. Increase in the concentration of H2SO4 and decrease in the dielectric constant of the medium retard the oxidation process. The product of oxidation is acetic acid. A mechanism involving the formation of a complex between the substrate and the catalyst, which reacts with the oxidant in the slow step is proposed. The formation constant of the complex and the rate constant of the slow step are determined.