Kinetics of oxidation of ferrocene by tris-1,10-phenanthrolinecobalt(III) in t-butyl alcoholwater and acetonewater mixtures

Abstract

Rate constants and activation parameters (Δ H ≠ and Δ S ≠)are reported for the oxidation of ferrocene by the tris-1,10-phenanthrolinecobalt(III) cation in t-butyl alcoholwater and in acetonewater solvent mixtures. Solvent effects on reactivity trends for these systems, for this same reaction in methanolwater mixtures, and for cobalt(II)-catalysed racemisation of Co(phen) 3 3+ in t-butyl alcoholwater solvent mixtures are analysed into initial state and transition state contributions. The dependences of solubilities on solvent composition for ferrocene and for [Co(phen) 3](ClO 4) 3 in methanol, t-butyl alcohol, and acetonewater mixtures are also reported; these results are needed in order to establish solvent effects on the initial states of the reactions studied.