The kinetics of Os(VIII) catalysed oxidation of L-lysine by diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) in alkaline medium at T = 298 K and a constant ionic strength of 0.50 mol . dm(-3) was studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation products are aldehyde (5-aminopentanal) and Ag(I). The stoichiometry is i.e. [L-lysine]:[DPA] = 1:1. The reaction is of first order in [Os(VIII)] and [DPA] and is less than unit order in both [L-lys] and [alkali]. Addition of periodate has no effect on the reaction. Effect. of added products, ionic strength, and dielectric constant of the reaction medium have been investigated. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium has been shown to proceed via a OS(VIII)-L-lysine complex, which further reacts with one molecule of deprotonated DPA in a rate determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products. The main products were identified by spot test, IR, and GC-MS. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism are calculated at different temperatures. The catalytic constant (K-c) was also calculated at different temperatures. From the plots of IgK(c) versus 1/T, values of activation parameters with respect to the catalyst have been evaluated. The activation parameters with respect to slow step of the mechanism are computed and discussed and thermodynamic quantities are also determined. The active species of catalyst and oxidant have been identified. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.