Thermal runaway reaction evaluation of two by-products mixed with cumene hydroperoxide in the oxidation tower

Oxygen (O₂) or air is widely used to produce cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) in the cumene oxidation tower. The aim of this study was applied to analyze thermal hazard of two by-products including alpha-methylstyrene (AMS) and acetophenone (AP) in a CHP oxidation tower. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) were operated to evaluate thermal runaway reaction of CHP mixed with AMS and AP. Exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature (T _max), activation energy (E _a), etc., that were employed to prevent and protect thermal runaway reaction and explosion in the manufacturing process and storage area. In view of proactive loss prevention, the inherently safer handling procedure and storage situation should be maintained in the chemical industries. The T ₀ of 30 mass% CHP was determined to be 105 °C by DSC. Therefore, the T ₀ of 30 mass% CHP mixed with AMS was determined to be 60–70 °C by DSC. The exothermic reaction of CHP/AP and CHP/AMS by DSC under N₂ reaction gas is thermal decomposition of oxygen–oxygen bond (–O–O–) because of the anaerobic reaction.     

Aerobic oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide catalyzed by metalloporphyrins

A protocol for the aerobic oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) catalyzed by metalloporphyrins is reported herein. Typically, the reaction was performed in an intermittent mode under an atmospheric pressure of air and below 130°C. Several important reaction parameters, such as the structure and concentration of metalloporphyrin, the air flow rate, and the temperature, were carefully studied. Analysis of the data obtained showed that the reaction was remarkably improved by the addition of metalloporphyrins, in terms of both the yield and formation rate of CHP while high selectivity was maintained. It was discovered that 4 or 5 h was the optimal reaction time when the reaction was catalyzed by monomanganese-porphyrin ((p-Cl)TPPMnCl) (7.20 × 10^?5 mol/l) at 120°C with the air flow rate being 600 ml/min. From the results, we also found that higher concentration of (p-Cl)TPPMnCl, longer reaction time and higher reaction temperature were all detrimental to the production of CHP from cumene. Studies of the reaction kinetics revealed that the activation energy of the reaction (E) is around 38.9 × 10⁴ kJ mol^?1. The low apparent activation energy of the reaction could explain why the rate of cumene oxidation to CHP in the presence of metalloporphyrins was much faster than that of the non-catalyzed oxidation.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Interaction of Di-μ-hydroxobis(1,10-phenanthroline)dipalladium(II) Perchlorate with Thioglycolic Acid and Glutathione in Aqueous Solution

The kinetics of interaction between di-μ-hydroxobis(1,10-phenanthroline)dipalladium(II) perchlorate and thioglycolic acid and with glutathione has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous medium as a function of the complex concentration as well as the ligand concentrations, pH, and temperature at constant ionic strength. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants k _obs (s^?1) obeyed the equation k _obs = k ₁[Nu] (Nu = nucleophile). At pH = 6.5, the interaction with thioglycolic acid shows two distinct consecutive steps and both steps are dependent on the concentration of thioglycolic acid. The rate constants for the process are: k ₁ ≈ 10^?5 s^?1 and k ₂ ≈ 10^?3 dm³ · mol^?1 · s^?1. The association equilibrium constant (K _E) for the outer sphere complex formation has been evaluated together with the rate constants for the two subsequent steps. The other bio-active ligand, glutathione, showed a single step reaction depending on [ligand] with a second-order anation rate constant: the 10² (k ₂) values are (61.72, 79.20, 109.24 and 154.33) dm³ · mol^?1 · s^?1 at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, respectively. On the basis of the kinetic observations and evaluated activation parameters, plausible associative mechanisms are proposed for both interaction processes.     

Explosion evaluation and safety storage analyses of cumene hydroperoxide using various calorimeters

Plenty of thermal explosions and runaway reactions of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) were described from 1981 to 2010 in Taiwan. Therefore, a thermal explosion accident of CHP in oxidation tower in 2010 in Taiwan was investigated because of piping breakage. In general, high concentration of CHP for thermal analysis using the calorimeter is dangerous. Therefore, a simulation method and a kinetic parameter were used to simulate thermal hazard of high concentrations of CHP only by the researcher. This study was applied to evaluate thermal hazard and to analyze storage parameters of 80 and 88 mass% CHP using three calorimeters for the oxidation tower, transportation, and 50-gallon drum. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (a non-isothermal calorimeter), thermal activity monitor III (TAM III) (an isothermal calorimeter), and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) (an adiabatic calorimeter) were employed to detect the exothermic behavior and runaway reaction model of 80 and 88 mass% CHP. Exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), maximum temperature (T _max), time to maximum rate under isothermal condition (TMR_iso) (as an emergency response time), maximum pressure (P _max), maximum of self-heating rate ((dT/dt)_max), maximum of pressure rise rate ((dP/dt)_max), half-life time (t _1/2), reaction order (n), activation energy (E _a), frequency factor (A), etc., of 80 and 88 mass% CHP were applied to prevent thermal explosion and runaway reaction accident and to calculate the critical temperature (T _c). Experimental results displayed that the n of 80 and 88 mass% CHP was determined to be 0.5 and the E _a of 80 and 88 mass% CHP were evaluated to be 132 and 134 kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

Thermal hazard investigation of cumene hydroperoxide in the first oxidation tower

This article studies the thermokinetics and safety parameters of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) manufactured in the first oxidation tower. Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), an adiabatic calorimeter, was employed to determine reaction kinetics, the exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), reaction order (n), ignition runaway temperature (T _{C, I}), etc. The n value and activation energy (E _a) of 15?mass% CHP were calculated to be 0.5 and 120.2?kJ?mol^?1, respectively. The heat generation rate (Q _g) of 15?mass% CHP compared with hS (cooling rate)?=?6.7?J?min^?1?K^?1 of heat balance, the T _S,E and the critical extinction temperature (T _{C, E}) under 110?°C of ambient temperature (T _a) were calculated 111 and 207?°C, respectively. The Q _g of 15?mass% CHP compared with hS?=?0.3?J?min^?1?K^?1 of heat balance was applied to determine the T _{C, I} that was evaluated to be 116?°C. This article describes the best operating conditions when handling CHP, starting from the first oxidation tower.     

Kinetic studies on H+-catalyzed aquation and hydrogen peroxide oxidation of tris-asparaginatochromium(III)

Tris-asparaginatochromium(III), [Cr(Asn)₃]⁰ (where Asn forms a 5-membered chelate ring via amine nitrogen and α-carboxylate oxygen atoms) and its mono- and diaqua-derivatives were obtained, and their acid-catalyzed aquation was studied. The first reaction for [Cr(Asn)₃]⁰ and [Cr(Asn)₂(H₂O)₂]⁺ is the chelate ring opening at the Cr-NH₂ bond, leading to metastable intermediates. Kinetics of these processes were studied spectrophotometrically in 0.1–1.0 M HClO₄ at 303 and 333 K, respectively. A linear dependence of k _obs on [H⁺], k _obs = a + b[H⁺] was determined for both the complexes. Additionally, oxidation of chromium(III) to chromate(VI) by hydrogen peroxide was studied. The process proceeds through a chromium(V) intermediate, which is next transformed, in faster parallel steps into CrO₄ ^2? and [Cr(O₂)₂]^3? anions. The latter species, a chromium(V)-peroxo complex, is metastable under a large excess of H₂O₂. Kinetics of oxidation of [Cr(Asn)₃]⁰ were studied at 298 K, at constant [OH^?], within 0.2–1.0 M H₂O₂ range. A linear dependence of k _obs on H₂O₂ was established. A mechanism is proposed, where the rate-determining step is an inner sphere 2-electron transfer within a precursor chromium(III) complex with coordinated O₂H^? anion of the [Cr(Asn)₂(OH)(HO₂)]^? formula. EPR results provided clear evidence for formation of a relatively stable tetrakis(η ²-peroxo)chromate(V) complex, [Cr(O₂)₄]^3?.     

Thermal analysis, phase transitions and molecular reorientations in [Sr(OS(CH3)2)6](ClO4)2

Thermal analysis (TG/DTG/QMS), performed for [Sr(OS(CH₃)₂)₆](ClO₄)₂ in a flow of argon and in temperature range of 295–585 K, indicated that the compound is completely stable up to ca. 363 K, and next starts to decompose slowly, and in the temperature at ca. 492 K looses four (CH₃)₂SO molecules per one formula unit. During further heating [Sr(DMSO)₂](ClO₄)₂ melts and simultaneously decomposes with explosion. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements performed in the temperature range of 93–370 K for [Sr(DMSO)₆](ClO₄)₂ revealed existence of the following phase transitions: glass ? crystal phase Cr5 at T _g  ≈ 164 K (235 K), phase Cr5 → phase Cr4 at $ T_{\text{c6}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 241 K, phase Cr4 → phase Cr3 at $ T_{\text{c5}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 255 K, phase Cr3 → phase Cr2 at $ T_{\text{c4}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 277 K, phase Cr2 ? phase Cr1 at $ T_{\text{c3}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 322 K and $ T_{\text{c3}}^{\text{c}} $  ≈ 314 K, phase Cr1 ? phase Rot2 at $ T_{\text{c2}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 327 K and $ T_{\text{c2}}^{\text{c}} $  ≈ 321 K and phase Rot2 ? phase Rot1 at $ T_{\text{c1}}^{\text{h}} $  ≈ 358 K and $ T_{\text{c1}}^{\text{c}} $  ≈ 347 K. Entropy changes values of the phase transitions at $ T_{\text{c1}}^{\text{h}} $ and $ T_{\text{c2}}^{\text{h}} $ (?S ≈ 79 and 24 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively) indicated that phases Rot1 and Rot2 are substantially orientationally disordered. The solid phases (Cr1–Cr5) are more or less ordered phases (?S ≈ 7, 10, 4 and 3 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively). Phase transitions in [Sr(DMSO)₆](ClO₄)₂ were also examined by Fourier transform middle infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR). The characteristic changes in the FT-MIR absorption spectra of the low- and high-temperature phases observed at the phase transition temperatures discovered by DSC allowed us to relate these phase transitions to the changes of the reorientational motions of DMSO ligands and/or to the crystal structure changes.     

Substituent effects on the kinetics of acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl cellulose

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of methyl cellulose (MC, DS 1.27 and 1.95) was studied by a two-step procedure, comprising partial hydrolysis in 1 M TFA in water and water/acetone at 120 °C for various time periods, labeling of generated reducing ends by reductive amination, complete depolymerization by methanolysis followed by trimethylsilylation, and gas chromatographic analysis of the two sets of partially O-methylated glucose derivatives. Rate constants of MCs were all in the order of 10^?4 s^?1. In aqueous TFA, overall rate of hydrolysis of the MC with lower DS was faster than of the MC with higher DS. When substituting half of the water by acetone, reaction was slowed down while selectivity regarding different O-methyl glucosyl residues increased. Compared to the parent glucosyl unit methylation at O-2 and at O-6 decreased rate of hydrolysis, while 3-O-methyl favored it especially in the early stage of the conversion of the macromolecules. Beside slight differences between the two MCs and reaction conditions, rate constants k _i (i = position of methyl) followed the order k ₃₆ ≈ k ₃ > k ₀ ≈ k ₂₃ > k ₆ > k ₂ ≥ k ₂₃₆ > k ₂₆. For the higher substituted MC2 an initial slow phase with more pronounced differences of k _i, followed by a faster less selective period was observed. Regioselectivity of hydrolysis with respect to methyl positions was expressed as standard deviation of k _i and was between 16 and 46% depending on MC and conditions. Findings are discussed with respect to electronic effects, solvent-effect, H-bonding pattern and solution state.     

Study on thermal decomposition and oxidation kinetics of cation exchange resins using non-isothermal TG analysis

Kinetics of two successive thermal decomposition reaction steps of cationic ion exchange resins and oxidation of the first thermal decomposition residue were investigated using a non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. Reaction mechanisms and kinetic parameters for three different reaction steps, which were identified from a FTIR gas analysis, were established from an analysis of TG analysis data using an isoconversional method and a master-plot method. Primary thermal dissociation of SO₃H⁺ from divinylbenzene copolymer was well described by an Avrami–Erofeev type reaction (n = 2, g(α) = [?ln(1 ? α)]^1/2]), and its activation energy was determined to be 46.8 ± 2.8 kJ mol^?1. Thermal decomposition of remaining polymeric materials at temperatures above 400 °C was described by one-dimensional diffusion (g(α) = α ²), and its activation energy was determined to be 49.1 ± 3.1 kJ mol^?1. The oxidation of remaining polymeric materials after thermal dissociation of SO₃H⁺ was described by a phase boundary reaction (contracting volume, g(α) = 1?(1 ? α)^1/3). The activation energy and the order of oxygen power dependency were determined to be 101.3 ± 13.4 and 1.05 ± 0.17 kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

Hierarchical nanocomposites of polyaniline scales coated on graphene oxide sheets for enhanced supercapacitors

The homogeneous polyaniline–graphene oxide (PANI-GO) nanocomposites were facilely assembled with a redox system in which cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and iron dichloride (FeCl₂) acted as oxidant and reductant, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that PANI scales coated uniformly on the surface of GO sheets owing to the synergistic effect between the PANI and GO. The obtained PANI-GO nanocomposites exhibited improved electrochemical performance as an electrode material for supercapacitors compared with the pure PANI. The specific capacitance of the PANI-GO nanocomposites was high up to 308.3 F g^?1, much higher than that of the pure PANI with specific capacitance of 150 F g^?1 at a current density of 1 A g^?1 in 2 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. The Raman and XPS results illustrated that enhanced electrochemical performance might be attributed to the π-π conjugation between the PANI and GO sheets.     

Graphene quantum dot-phthalocyanine polystyrene conjugate embedded in asymmetric polymer membranes for photocatalytic oxidation of 4-chlorophenol

The feasibility of using π–π stacking as a means of fixing unsubstituted Zn phthalocyanine (ZnPc) to a support prior to formation of photoactive polymer asymmetric membranes was explored. Stable ZnPc–graphene quantum dot-polystyrene conjugates (6.15 μmol/g ZnPc loading) were synthesized and embedded in polystyrene membranes which proved to be photoactive with a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.43 in ethanol and 0.37 in water. The membranes also proved to be active in the photocatalytic oxidation of 4-chlorophenol in water where the reaction followed second-order kinetics. At 3.24 × 10^?4 mol L^?1, the photo-oxidation of 4-chlorophenol was observed with a k_obs of 35.9 L mol^?1 min^?1 and a half-life of 86 min.     

Performance evaluation of k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the characterization of various types of alloys

Certified alloys of Ni–Cu based, Fe based and Cu–Sn based were analysed by semi-absolute, standardless k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k ₀-INAA) and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) aiming at evaluating their comparative performances. In k ₀-INAA measurements, the irradiations were performed at miniaturized neutron source reactor having thermal neutron flux of about 1 × 10¹² cm^?2 s^?1. The experimentally optimized parameters for INAA suggested a maximum of three irradiations for the quantification of 21 elements within 5 days. The same experiments also produced quantitative results of 13 elements not reported in the certificates of the reference materials. AAS was, however, unable to determine any of those elements. Accuracy of the two techniques was assessed by comparing their average root mean squared errors. The data analysis concluded that k ₀-INAA had better sensitivity and accuracy than FAAS.     

Conformational properties of 1-methyl-1-germacyclohexane: low-temperature NMR and quantum chemical calculations

The conformational preference of the methyl group of 1-methyl-1-germacyclohexane was studied experimentally in solution (low-temperature ¹³C NMR) and by quantum chemical calculations (CCSD(T), MP2 and DFT methods). The NMR experiment resulted in an axial/equatorial ratio of 44/56 mol% at 114 K corresponding to an A value (A = G _ax ? G _eq) of 0.06 kcal mol^?1. An average value for ΔG _e→a ^#  = 5.0 ± 0.1 kcal mol^?1 was obtained for the temperature range 106–134 K. The experimental results are very well reproduced by the calculations. CCSD(T)/CBS calculations + thermal corrections resulted in an A value of 0.02 kcal mol^?1, whereas a ΔE value of ?0.01 kcal mol^?1 at 0 K was obtained.     

Mechanism and reaction rate of the karl-fischer titration reaction: Part I. Potentiometric measurements

The reaction rate of the coulometric variant of the Karl-Fischer titration reaction (in which electrolytically generated triiodide is used as oxidant instead of iodine) has been measured in methanol. The reaction is first order in water, sulfur dioxide and triiodide, respectively. For pH<5 the reaction rate constant decreases logarithmically with decreasing pH. Addition of pyridine solely influences the pH (by fixing it to a value of about 6) and has no direct influence on the reaction rate. A linear relation exists between the reaction rate constant and the reciprocal value of the iodide concentration, from which we can calculate the individual reaction rates for the oxidation by iodine and triiodide, respectively. While the reaction rate constant for triiodide is relatively small (k₃≈350 l² mol^?2s^?1), the reaction rate constant for iodine is much larger (k₃≈1.5×10⁷ l² mol^?2 s^?1.     

The Reactivity of vic-dioximes Towards the [(H2O)(tap)2RuORu(tap)2(H2O)]2+ Ion {tap = 2-(m-tolylazo)pyridine} at Physiological pH

Kinetics of aqua ligand substitution from [(H₂O)(tap)₂RuORu(tap)₂(H₂O)]²⁺ {tap = 2-(m-tolylazo)pyridine}, by three vicinal dioximes, namely dimethylglyoxime (L¹H), 1,2-cyclohexanedione dioxime (L²H) and α-furil dioxime (L³H), have been studied spectrophotometrically in the 35–50 °C temperature range. The reaction was monitored at 560 nm where the absorbance between the reactant and product is at a maximum. At pH 7.4, the reaction has been found to proceed via two distinct consecutive steps, i.e., it shows a non-linear dependence on the concentration of ligands: the first process is [ligand] dependent but the second step is [ligand] independent. The rate constants for the processes are: k ₁ ~ 10^?3 s^?1 and k ₂ ~ 10^?4 s^?1. The activation parameters, calculated from Eyring plots, suggest an associative mechanism for the interaction process. From the temperature dependence of the outer sphere association equilibrium constants, the thermodynamic parameters were also calculated, which give negative ΔG° values at all temperatures studied, supporting the spontaneous formation of an outer sphere association complex. The product of the reaction has been characterized with the help of IR and ESI-mass spectroscopic analysis.     

Thermal analysis of 5′-deoxy-5′-iodo-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5-fluorouridine

The melting temperature, melting enthalpy, and specific heat capacities (C _p) of 5′-deoxy-5′-iodo-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5-fluorouridine (DIOIPF) were measured using DSC-60 Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The melting temperature and melting enthalpy were obtained to be 453.80 K and 33.22 J g^?1, respectively. The relationship between the specific heat capacity and temperature was obtained to be C _p/J g^?1 K^?1 = 2.0261 – 0.0096T + 2 × 10^?5 T ² at the temperature range from 320.15 to 430.15 K. The thermal decomposition process was studied by the TG–DTA analyzer. The results showed that the thermal decomposition temperature of DIOIPF was above 487.84 K, and the decomposition process can be divided into three stages: the first stage is the decomposition of impurities, the mass loss in the second stage may be the sublimation of iodine and thermal decomposition process of the side-group C₄H₂O₂N₂F, and the third stage may be the thermal decomposition process of both the groups –CH₃ and –CH₂OCH₂–. The obtained thermodynamic basic data are helpful for exploiting new synthetic method, engineering design, and commercial process of DIOIPF.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate

The kinetics of the initiated oxidation of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate in the liquid phase were studied volumetrically by measuring oxygen uptake during the reaction. Both processes proceed via the chain mechanism with quadratic-law chain termination. The oxidation rate is described by the equation w = k ₂/(2k ₆)^1/2[monomer]w _i ^1/2 , where w _i is the initiation rate and k ₂ and k ₆ are the rate constants of chain propagation and termination. The parameter k ₂/(2k ₆)^1/2 is 7.58 × 10^?4 (l mol^?1 s^?1)^1/2 for acrylic acid oxidation and 2.09 × 10^?3 (l mol^?1 s^?1)^1/2 for the oxidation of methyl methacrylate (T = 333 K). For the oxidation of acrylic acid, k ₂ = 2.84 l mol^?1 s^?1 (T = 333 K) and the activation energy is E ₂ = 54.5 kJ/mol; for methyl methacrylate oxidation, k ₂ = 2.96 l mol^?1 s^?1 (T = 333 K) and E ₂ = 54.4 kJ/mol. The enthalpies of the reactions of RO ₂ ^? with acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate were calculated, and their activation energies were determined by the intersecting parabolas method. The contribution from the polar interaction to the activation energy was determined by comparing experimental and calculated E ₂ values: ΔE _μ = 5.7 kJ/mol for the reaction of RO ₂ ^? with acrylic acid and ΔE _μ = 0.9 kJ/mol for the reaction of RO ₂ ^? with methyl methacrylate. Experiments on the spontaneous oxidation of acrylic acid provided an estimate of the rate of chain initiation via the reaction of oxygen with the monomer: w _i,0 = (3.51 ± 0.85) × 10^?11 mol l^?1 s^?1 (T = 333 K).     

Dual-level direct dynamics studies on the reactions of tetramethylsilane with chlorine and bromine atoms

The multiple-channel reactions Cl + Si(CH₃)₄ and Br + Si(CH₃)₄ are investigated by direct dynamics method. The minimum energy path is calculated at the MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level, and energetic information is further refined by the MC-QCISD (single-point) method. The rate constants for individual reaction channel are calculated by the improved canonical variational transition state theory with small-curvature tunneling correction over the temperature range 200–3,000 K. The theoretical three-parameter expression k ₁(T) = 9.97 × 10^?13 T ^0.54exp(613.22/T) and k ₂(T) = 1.16 × 10^?17 T ^2.30exp(?3525.88/T) (in unit of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) are given. Our calculations indicate that hydrogen abstraction channel is the major channel due to the smaller barrier height among feasible channels considered.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of arsenious acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) in hydrochloric acid medium

Kinetics of the oxidation of arsenious acid by tetrahcloroaurate(III) have been studied spectrophotometrically in hydrochloric acid medium. Initial complex formation between As(III) and Au(III) followed by the decomposition of the intermediate complex to give products of the reaction is suggested. The empirical rate law is

k and K are found to be 13.9 × 10^?4 s^?1 and 24.2 M^?1 respectively at 30°C and μ = 1.0 M. ΔH³ and ΔS³ for k are found to be 49.2 kJ mol^?1 and - 137.2 JK^?1 mol^?1 whereas ΔH and ΔS associated with K are - 6.75 kJ mol^?1 and 4.14 JK^?1 respectively.     

Kinetics of the photoaquation of Hexacyanoferrate(II) ion

Kinetics of the photoaquation of hexacyanoferrate(II) ion in aqueous solution were studied potentiometrically and spectrophotometrically. Supposing the simplest mechanism (see Fig. 3. in text), the photoaquation in alkaline medium can be well described. The value of the constants at pH = ll.0 are: ø = 0.8-1.0, k₆ = (3.0 ± 0.5) × 10^?8 s^?1 and k_?6 = 1.5 ± 0.2 mol^?1 dm₃ s^?1. To describe the photoaquation in neutral medium t was extended (k′ = 3.33 x 10² mol^?1 dm³s^?1). The quantum yield in acidic medium can be calculated by combination of ø values of different protonated complexes. The reversibility of photoaquation in alkaline medium is also explained by the scheme.