Redox reactions of metal carbonyls. I. Kinetics and mechanism of disproportionation of Co 2(CO) 8 with piperidine

Abstract

The disproportionation reaction of Co 2(CO) 8 by nucleophilic attack of piperidine has been investigated at different temperatures in n-heptane with the stopped-flow technique. The reaction is given by a series of successive and/or competitive pathways with different kinetic dependence on the ligand concentration. The experimental findings suggest that a rapid coordination of the ligand (L) occurs until the Co 2(CO) 7L 3 species is formed; then the adduct dissociates into ionic fragments. The mechanism and the kinetic parameters are discussed with reference to available findings on Co 2(CO) 8.