Factors controlling electron transfer reactions and stabilisation of uncommon oxidation states of chromium

Abstract

Some experimental approaches to seek semi-quantitative understanding of factors controlling outer sphere electron transfer reactions of some transition metal complexes have been made. The relative importance of nuclear and electronic factors to outer sphere processes has been examined. By the manipulation of Franck-Condon or nuclear factors, it has now been possible to gain access into the chemistry of chromium in unusual oxidation states. An example of a reorganisation controlled electron transfer reaction involving Cr(IV)-Cr(III) system has been demonstrated. The bimolecular rate of reduction of diperoxoaquaethylenediamine chromium(IV) and diperoxodiethylenetriamine chromium(IV) is independent of the nature of th reductant employed viz. Fe2+ or VO2+ indicating that the generation of6 coordinate Cr(IV) species from7 coordinate of diperoxochromium(IV) reactant may be rate limiting. Similarly by increasing the barrier for the6 coordinate to4 coordinate structures through equatorial coordination of macrocyclic ligands, it has now been possible to detect through cyclic voltommogram the formation of relatively stable Cr(IV) species in the electrochemical oxidation of Cr(Me4[14] tetraene)(H2O) 2 3+ in aqueous sulphuric acid media. The kinetics and mechanism of the cerium(IV) and iodosyl benzene oxidation of Cr(salen)(H2O) 2 + and Cr(salprn)(H2O) 2 + have been investigated and kinetic and spectroscopic evidence for the formation of Cr(IV) transients and stable Cr(V) products has been presented. The relative importance of Franck-Condon factors in the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(IV) and Cr(V) states in different macrocyclic and multidentate ligand environments has been discussed.