The kinetics and mechanism of aquation and base hydrolysis of the cis-[Co(cyclen)Cl2]+ cation (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)

Abstract

The aquation of cis-[Co(cyclen)Cl2]+ (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) has been studied over a range of temperatures with 0.1 mol dm–3 HNO3 as solvent. At 25°C, kaq=4.5×10–3 s–1 with ΔH‡=78 kJ mol–1 and ΔS‡298=−21 J K–1 mol–1. Base hydrolysis of cis-[Co(cyclen)Cl2]+ is extremely rapid with kOH=2.1×107 dm3 mol–1 s–1 at 25°C and I=0.1 mol dm–3. This is the largest rate constant so far reported for the base hydrolysis of a cis-dichloro-complex of a saturated macrocycle. The activation parameters, ΔH‡=53 kJ mol−1 and ΔS‡298=73 J K–1 mol–1 are consistent with a mechanism in which deprotonation of the substrate is rate-determining. This conclusion is confirmed by the observation of general base catalysis by formate ion. The Bronsted β value for the reaction is ca. 0.72 and SN1(CB) and E2 mechanisms are considered to account for the kinetic results. Base hydrolysis of cis-[Co(cyclen)(OH)Cl]+ has also been studied in the pH range 6.5 to 8.7. The value of kOH=3.8×102 dm3 mol–1 s–1 at 25°C and I=0.1 mol dm–3 with ΔH‡=110 kJ mol–1 and ΔS‡298=171 J K–1 mol–1 are consistent with an SN1(CB) mechanism.