Al2O3-TiO2 SOL-GEL MIXED OXIDES AS SUITABLE SUPPORTS FOR THE REDUCTION OF NO BY CO

Sol–Gel alumina-titania supports were prepared by the co-gelling aluminum tri-sec-butoxide and titanium isopropoxide (10 wt.% TiO₂) at pH 3 and pH 9. Supports showed specific surface areas higher than 250 m²/g, and Lewis acidity was observed by FTIR pyridine adsorption. Cu°, Cu¹⁺ and Cu²⁺species on impregnated Cu/Al₂O₃-TiO₂catalysts were identified by means of FTIR-CO adsorption. A correlation between Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ abundance and the activity for NO reduction by CO is reported.     

Effect of sol-gel derived Al2O3-ZrO2 and Al2O3-TiO2 oxides on the selectivity of NO reduction by CO under oxidizing conditions

The role of Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃-TiO₂ sol-gel prepared supports in the activity of platinum for the NO reduction by CO under oxidizing conditions has been studied. ²⁷Al MAS-NMR spectra have shown the formation of pentacoordinate Al^V in alumina-zirconia support. ZrO₂ or TiO₂ crystalline phases cannot be identified by XRD diffraction, suggesting the formation of nanosized structures supported on alumina. When the reaction was carried out in presence of oxygen, large amounts of NO₂ were observed on Pt/Al₂O₃-ZrO₂catalyst, while the formation of N₂O is more prononced on Pt/Al₂O₃-TiO₂ catalyst. The effect of water during NO reduction is discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

CO Oxidation on Cu/MgO-SiO2 Sol-Gel Derived Catalysts

Sol-gel Cu//MgOSiO₂ catalysts were prepared gelling tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), magnesium ethoxide and copper acetylacetonate at pH 3 and pH 9. The catalysts shown specific surface areas ca. 500 m²/g and 140 m²/g for pH 9 and pH 3 preparations respectively. Si(OH) and Si(OH)₂ hydroxy groups were observed by MAS-RMN spectroscopy in both preparations. CO₂-TPD and NH₃-TPD desorption thermograms showed that acid and basic sites were formed on the catalysts surface. It has been found that the catalysts having the highest density of basic sites were the catalysts showing the highest activity for the CO oxidation. It is proposed that the catalytic activity depends of the relative Cu⁼¹/Cu⁼² stability given by the support acidity.     

The Properties of Cu Ions in Zeolites CuY Studied by IR Spectroscopy

The properties of both Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺ ions in zeolite CuY were followed with NO and CO as probe molecules. Cu²⁺ was found to be located in S_II, S_II*, and S_III sites, whereas Cu⁺ was found in S_II and S_II* sites. The fine analysis of the spectra of Cu²⁺-NO and Cu⁺-CO adducts suggests that both in S_II and in S_II* sites two kinds of Cu cations exist. They differ in the positive charge, which may be related to the varying numbers of AlO₄⁻ in close proximity. The experiments of NO and CO adsorption and desorption evidenced that both Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺ sites of highest positive charge bind probe molecules most strongly but activate them to a lesser extent than the Cu sites of lowest positive charge. The experiments of reduction with hydrogen evidenced that the Cu ions of higher positive charge are first reduced by hydrogen. On the other hand, Cu sites of the lowest positive charge are first oxidized by oxygen. The experiments with CuNaY zeolites of various Cu contents suggest that the first introduced Cu (at low Cu contents) created Cu⁺, which was the most neutralized by framework oxygens. Such Cu cations are the most stabilized by framework oxygens.     

Nanoceria Supported Gold Catalysts for CO Oxidation

Two types of CeO₂ nanocubes (average size of 5 and 20 nm, respectively) prepared via the hydrothermal process were selected to load gold species via a deposition‐precipitation (DP) method. Various measurements, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS), and temperature‐programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂‐TPR), were applied to characterize the catalysts. It is found that the sample with ceria size of 20 nm (Au/CeO₂‐20) was covered by well dispersed both Au³⁺ and Au^δ+ (0 < δ < 1). For the other sample with ceria size of 5 nm (Au/CeO₂‐5), Au³⁺ is the dominant gold species. Au/CeO₂‐20 performed better catalytic activity for CO oxidation because of the strong CO adsorption of Au^δ+ in the catalysts. The catalytic activity of Au/CeO₂‐5 was improved due to the transformation of Au³⁺ to Au^δ+. Based on the CO oxidation and in situ DRIFTS results, Au^δ+ is likely to play a more important role in catalyzing CO oxidation reaction.     

Selective catalytic reduction of NO with hydrocarbon on Cu2+-exchanged pillared clay: An IR study of the NO decomposition mechanism

In an earlier study, it has been found that Cu²⁺ ion-exchanged pillared clay (Cu-PILC) has a substantially higher activity for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by ethylene over Cu-ZSM-5. Moreover, it is not significantly deactivated by water vapor and SO₂. In this study, the activity for direct NO decomposition in the presence of O₂ on Cu-PILC was studied and an in situ IR study for the key intermediates and the reaction mechanism was made. The direct NO decomposition activities for Cu-PILC and Cu-ZSM-5 were similar. Under in situ NO and O₂ reaction conditions at temperatures up to 300°C, IR absorption bands at well-defined peak positions are identified. The band at 1699 cm⁻¹ is assigned to a dinitrosyl species on Cu⁺. The bands with peaks at 1609, 1530–1480 and in the region of 1440–1335 cm⁻¹ are assigned to bidentate nitrate, monodentate nitrate and nitro species bonded to Cu²⁺. A redox mechanism is proposed for NO decomposition. The limiting step is thought to be the N–N coupling between surface nitrate and gaseous nitric oxide to form nitrogen. The existence of substantial amounts of nitrate formed from NO alone indicates the important role of the large amount of lattice oxygen that is available on Cu-PILC. As a result, the role of external oxygen supply is only to replenish the consumed lattice oxygen. The proposed NO decomposition mechanism suggests that the redox property of Cu-PILC is crucial for this reaction.     

Thermal degradation studies of polystyrene sulfonic and polyacrylic carboxylic cationites

The thermal degradation of polyacrylic carboxylic and polystyrene sulfonic cationites was investigated using thermal analysis (TG) combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the resins degradation steps. The carboxylic cationite undergoes degradation through dehydration forming polyanhydrides, decomposition of polyanhydrides through decarboxylation with elimination of CO₂ and CO. The sulfonic cationite undergoes degradation through dehydration, followed by decomposition of sulfonic acid functional groups liberating SO₂. It was observed that strong acid (−SO₃H⁺) cationite shows small mass loss of 55%, as against 88% mass loss shown by low-acidity carboxylic cationite. The possible reason for small mass loss of sulfonic cationite is discussed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

CuO/Ti0.5Zr0.5O2催化剂对NO+CO反应的催化作用

环境治理是当今社会面临的一大主要问题。目前,城市空气污染日趋严重,特别是工厂和汽车排放的大量未燃烧的烃类、CO、NOx是主要的空气污染物。其中,氮氧化物(NOx)排放状况尤其严重,它的排放会给环境和人们生活带来严重危害,因此,如何有效地消除NOx已成为目前环境保护中一个非常     

IR studies of coadsorption of CO and NO on Co and Cu sites in zeolites

The present study was carried out to follow the effect of CO coadsorption on the properties of NO adsorbed on the same Co²⁺ sites. As the activation of the different molecules was found to be specially pronounced for Cu⁺ in MFI and FAU zeolites, the coadsorption of CO and NO on Cu⁺ sites was also examined. Our previous studies reveled that the presence of the electron donor ammonia and pyridine molecules strongly weakened the multiple bond in NO molecule bonded to the same Cu⁺ cation. The present IR experiments evidenced that CO acted as an electron acceptor. The flow of an electron density from the antibonding π* orbital of NO via Co²⁺ or Cu⁺ to the antibonding π* orbital of CO results in strengthening of the NO bond and in weakening of the CO bond.     

Isolation of the Copper Redox Steps in the Standard Selective Catalytic Reduction on Cu‐SSZ‐13

Operando X‐ray absorption experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are reported that elucidate the role of copper redox chemistry in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO over Cu‐exchanged SSZ‐13. Catalysts prepared to contain only isolated, exchanged Cu^II ions evidence both Cu^II and Cu^I ions under standard SCR conditions at 473 K. Reactant cutoff experiments show that NO and NH₃ together are necessary for Cu^II reduction to Cu^I. DFT calculations show that NO‐assisted NH₃ dissociation is both energetically favorable and accounts for the observed Cu^II reduction. The calculations predict in situ generation of Brønsted sites proximal to Cu^I upon reduction, which we quantify in separate titration experiments. Both NO and O₂ are necessary for oxidation of Cu^I to Cu^II, which DFT suggests to occur by a NO₂ intermediate. Reaction of Cu‐bound NO₂ with proximal NH₄⁺ completes the catalytic cycle. N₂ is produced in both reduction and oxidation half‐cycles.     

Effect of copper source on the structure–activity of CuAl2O4 spinel catalysts for CO hydrogenation

Due to the complexity of the structure–activity relationship of the CuAl₂O₄ spinel catalyst, optimization of the catalyst structure is a great challenge. In this paper, three different CuAl₂O₄ spinel catalysts were prepared by the solid-phase method using copper hydroxide, copper nitrate, and copper oxide as the copper source, respectively, to study the difference in the structure of CuAl₂O₄ spinel catalysts induced by the raw materials and the catalytic behavior for CO hydrogenation. The structure of CuAl₂O₄ spinel catalyst was characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, TEM, H₂-TPR and XPS. The activity of CO hydrogenation over the CuAl₂O₄ spinel catalyst without pre-reduction was evaluated in the slurry reactor. The results demonstrated that different copper sources had obvious influence on the CuAl₂O₄ spinel texture properties, surface enrichment degree, as well as decomposition and reduction ability, which further regulated the ratio of Cu⁺/Cu⁰ and thus affected the catalytic performance, especially the alcohol distribution. The CuAl₂O₄ spinel, employing copper hydroxide as the copper source, showed better selectivity of C₂₊OH, which was assigned to a higher ratio of Cu⁺/Cu⁰, along with larger pore size and pore volume. Moreover, the synergistic effect between Cu⁰ and γ-Al₂O₃ improved the selectivity of dimethyl ether.     

Copper doped ceria porous nanostructures towards a highly efficient bifunctional catalyst for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide elimination

Copper doped ceria porous nanostructures with a tunable BET surface area were prepared using an efficient and general metal–organic-framework-driven, self-template route. The XRD, SEM and TEM results indicate that Cu²⁺ was successfully substituted into the CeO₂ lattice and well dispersed in the CeO₂:Cu²⁺ nanocrystals. The CeO₂:Cu²⁺ nanocrystals exhibit a superior bifunctional catalytic performance for CO oxidation and selective catalytic reduction of NO. Interestingly, CO oxidation reactivity over the CeO₂:Cu²⁺ nanocrystals was found to be dependent on the Cu²⁺ dopants and BET surface area. By tuning the content of Cu²⁺ and BET surface area through choosing different organic ligands, the 100% conversion temperature of CO over CeO₂:Cu²⁺ nanocrystals obtained from thermolysis of CeCu–BPDC nanocrystals can be decreased to 110 °C. The porous nanomaterials show a high CO conversion rate without any loss in activity even after five cycles. Furthermore, the activity of the catalysts for NO reduction increased with the increase of BET surface, which is in accordance with the results of CO oxidation.     

Oxidation of Ethanol in Cu-Faujasites Studied by IR Spectroscopy

In this study, IR studies of the coadsorption of ethanol and CO on Cu⁺ cations evidenced the transfer of electrons from ethanol to Cu⁺, which caused the lowering of the frequency of the band attributed to CO bonded to the same Cu⁺ cation due to the more effective π back donation of d electrons of Cu to antibonding π* orbitals of CO. The reaction of ethanol with acid sites in zeolite HFAU above 370 K produced water and ethane, polymerizing to polyethylene. Ethanol adsorbed on zeolite Cu(2)HFAU containing acid sites and Cu⁺_exch also produced ethene, but in this case, the ethene was bonded to Cu⁺ and did not polymerize. C=C stretching, which is IR non-active in the free ethene molecule, became IR active, and a weak IR band at 1538 cm⁻¹ was present. The reaction of ethanol above 370 K in Cu(5)NaFAU zeolite (containing small amounts of Cu⁺_exch and bigger amounts of Cu⁺_ox, Cu²⁺_exch and CuO) produced acetaldehyde, which was further oxidized to the acetate species (CH₃COO⁻). As oxygen was not supplied, the donors of oxygen were the Cu species present in our zeolite. The CO and NO adsorption experiments performed in Cu-zeolite before and after ethanol reaction evidenced that both Cu⁺_ox and Cu²⁺ (Cu²⁺_exch and CuO) were consumed by the ethanol oxidation reaction. The studies of the considered reaction of bulk CuO and Cu₂O as well as zeolites, in which the contribution of Cu⁺_ox species was reduced by various treatments, suggest that ethanol was oxidized to acetaldehyde by Cu²⁺_ox (the role of Cu⁺_ox could not be elucidated), but Cu⁺_ox was the oxygen donor in the acetate formation.     

Interaction of CO and NO with the spinel CuCr2O4 (100) surface: A DFT study

The characteristics of CO and NO molecules at Cu²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ion sites on the CuCr₂O₄ (100) surface have been studied by first principles calculations based on spin‐polarized density functional theory (DFT). The calculated results show that adsorption energies for X‐down(C, N) adsorption vary in the order: Cu²⁺‐CO>Cr³⁺‐NO≈Cr³⁺‐CO>Cu²⁺‐NO. CO molecules are preferentially adsorbed at Cu sites, whereas NO molecules adsorb favorably at Cu²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ion sites. The C‐O and N‐O stretching frequencies are red‐shifted upon adsorption. Combining the analysis of frontier molecular orbitals and Mulliken charge, for CO and NO X‐down adsorption systems, the 5σ orbitals donate electrons and the 2π^* orbitals obtain back‐donated electrons. Although for NO with O‐down adsorption systems, the NO‐2π^* orbitals obtain back‐donated electrons from substrates without 5σ‐donation. Coadsorption calculations show the CO/NO mixture adsorb selectively at the Cu²⁺ion site but simultaneously at the Cr³⁺ ion site, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Electrocatalytic Nitrite Reduction to Nitrogen Oxide by a Synthetic Analogue of the Active Site of Cu‐Containing Nitrite Reductase Incorporated in Nafion Film

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite to NO by [CuMe₂bpa(H₂O)(ClO₄)]⁺ ( 1 ), which is a model for the active site of copper‐containing nitrite reductase, incorporated in Nafion film was investigated. The Cu complex in the Nafion matrix exhibits an intense band at 267 nm and a broad band around 680 nm, assigned to d–d and ligand field transitions, respectively. The 77‐K EPR spectrum of 1 in the Nafion matrix reveals the typical axial signals (g_//=2.28, g =2.08, A_//=13.3 mT) of a tetragonal Cu²⁺ chromophore. The redox potential, which is related to the Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ couple, was ?146 mV (ΔE=72 mV) at pH 5.5. The redox reaction of 1 in Nafion was not dependent on pH and was a diffusion‐controlled process. The electronic structure and redox properties of 1 in the negatively charged polymer matrix were almost the same as those in aqueous solution. In the presence of nitrite, an increase in the cathodic current was observed in the cyclic voltammogram of 1 in the Nafion matrix. The current increase was dependent on the nitrite concentration and pH in solution. Upon reaching ?400 mV, a linear generation of NO was observed for the 1 /Nafion film coated electrode. The relationship between the rate of NO generation and the nitrite concentration in solution was analyzed with the Michaelis–Menten equation, where V_max=45.1 nM s^?1 and K_m=15.8 mM at pH 5.5. The Cu complex serves the function of both the catalyst and electron transport in the Nafion matrix. The sensitivity of the electrode was estimated to be 3.23 μA mM^?1 in the range of 0.1–0.4 mM nitrite.     

Pd-Cu-Clx/Al2O3催化剂对CO氧化的稳定性

CO催化氧化广泛应用于空气净化、机动车尾气治理和CO气体传感器中.在CO氧化催化剂设计与制备过程中,催化剂与使用环境密切相关.例如工业和机动车尾气净化需要在高温(200–600°C)下进行,而对于半密闭空间(隧道或者地下停车场)空气净化需要在室温和高相对湿度下进行.频繁冷启动导致半密闭空间CO浓度累积而超过排放控制标准,因此制备室温、高相对湿度下CO氧化催化剂是面临的重要问题之一.负载型Wacker催化剂对于CO低温催化氧化的研究一直受到广泛关注.环境中少量水的存在会促进负载型Wacker催化剂对CO的低温氧化性能,但随着水沉积量的增加,活性位点将被覆盖,并且Pd和Cu活性组分之间的紧密结构被破坏,从而导致催化剂的失活,即催化剂的稳定性变差.因此,为了提高催化剂在高相对湿度下的稳定性,利用二乙氧基二甲基硅烷对Al2O3载体进行硅烷化处理,以增加载体的疏水性,考察载体疏水改性对CO低温氧化过程中催化剂稳定性的影响.催化剂的稳定性测试结果表明,在0°C,100%相对湿度条件下,未改性催化剂在约20 h内CO转化率由81%下降到50%;载体硅烷化后制备的催化剂在反应进行150 h后,CO转化率仍保持在78%,即反应活性未见降低.由此表明催化剂载体经有机硅烷改性后,可显著增强催化剂在低温、高相对湿度下的稳定性.N2吸附/脱附和水吸附实验结果表明,载体硅烷化改性并未对催化剂的比表面积产生影响,但显著降低了催化剂上水沉积速度和沉积量,未改性催化剂的初始吸水速度是改性后催化剂的4倍,但改性后催化剂的饱和吸水率仅占未改性催化剂的1/3.X射线衍射结果表明,载体预处理后活性物种Cu2(OH)3Cl晶粒尺寸有所增加.氢气程序升温还原、X射线光电子能谱结果表明,载体硅烷化预处理改善了催化剂中Cu和Pd物种的化学分布及接触状态,增加了与Pd物种紧密接触的Cu物种的量,从而促进了Cu物种的还原.与此同时,载体硅烷化显著降低了催化剂表面Cl离子的浓度,从而影响到对CO吸附.为了进一步研究水与催化剂稳定性之间的关系,采用原位红外漫反射(In situ DRIFT)对催化剂进行表征.负载型Wacker催化剂对CO氧化反应机理为:Pd是CO氧化反应的活性中心,通过Pd和Cu物种之间的氧化还原循环来实现CO氧化,且Pd+比Pd2+具有更高的CO氧化性能.反应气氛中水的存在,有利于CO在Pd+上氧化、以及金属态Pd被Cu2+物种再氧化的过程,同时水也显著促进了催化剂表面碳酸盐的生成以及抑制了活性物种Pd+生成.与表面碳酸盐累积相比,水对于活性物种Pd+生成的抑制作用是导致催化剂活性降低的主要原因.     

Ethanol synthesis from syngas on Mn- and Fe-promoted Rh/γ-Al2O3

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO was studied over Mn- and/or Fe-promoted Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, BET, H₂-TPR·H₂-TPD, XPS and DRIFTS. CO hydrogenation results showed that the doubly Mn- and Fe-promoted Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibited superior catalytic activity and better ethanol selectivity. The DRIFTS results showed that Mn promoter stabilized the adsorbed CO on Rh⁺ and Fe stabilized adsorbed CO on Rh⁺ and Rh⁰, especially Rh⁰. The fact that doubly Mn- and Fe-promoted Rh/γ-Al₂O₃ owned more (Rhx⁰–Rhy⁺)–O–Fe³⁺·(Fe²⁺) active species was proposed to be a crucial factor accounting for its higher ethanol selectivity.     

Low-temperature activation of nitrogen oxide on Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts

The adsorption and activation of NO molecules on Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts with different Cu/Al and Si/Al ratios (from 0.05 to 1.4 and from 17 to 45, respectively) subjected to different pretreatment was studied by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance (UV-Vis DR). It was found that the amount of chemisorbed NO and the catalyst activity in NO decomposition increased with an increase in the Cu/Al ratio to 0.35–0.40. The intensity of absorption bands at 18400 and 25600 cm⁻¹ in the UV-Vis DR spectra increased symbatically. It was hypothesized that the adsorption of NO occurs at Cu⁺ ions localized in chain copper oxide structures with the formation of mono- and dinitrosyl Cu(I) complexes, and this process is accompanied by the Cu²⁺...Cu⁺ intervalence transfer band in the region of 18400 cm⁻¹. The low-temperature activation of NO occurs through the conversion of the dinitrosyl Cu(I) complex into the π-radical anion (N₂O₂)⁻ stabilized at the Cu²⁺ ion of the chain structure, [Cu²⁺-cis-(N₂O₂)⁻], by electron transfer from the Cu⁺ ion to the cis dimer (NO)₂. This complex corresponds to the L → M charge transfer band in the region of 25600 cm⁻¹. The subsequent destruction of the complex [Cu²⁺-cis-(N₂O₂)⁻] at temperatures of 150–300°C leads to the release of N₂O and the formation of the complex [Cu²⁺O⁻], which further participates in the formation of the nitrite-nitrate complexes [Cu²⁺(NO₂)⁻], [Cu²⁺(NO)(NO₂)⁻], and [Cu²⁺(NO₃)⁻] and NO decomposition products.     

Kinetics and mechanism of reduction of 2,8-dimethyl-1,9-diphenyl-3,7-diaza-2,7-nonadiene-1,9-dione dioximatocopper(III) ([CuIII A]+) and 4,6,9-trimethyl-5,8-diaza-4,8-dodecadiene-2,3,10,11-tetraone 3,10-dioximatocopper(III) ([CuIIIB]+) by p-methoxyphenol, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,4-dihydroxybenzene and some of its derivatives

The kinetics of reduction of two copper(III)-imine-oxime complexes, [Cu^IIIA]⁺ and [Cu^IIIB]⁺, (H₂A and H₂B=2,8-dimethyl-1,9-diphenyl-3,7-nonadiene-1,9-dione dioxime and 4,6,9-trimethyl-5,8-diaza-4,8-dodecadiene-2,3,10,11-tetraone 3,10-dioxime respectively) by hydroquinone (H₂Q), 2-methylhydroquinone (MH₂Q), 2-chlorohydroquinone (ClH₂Q), catechol (H₂Cat) and p-methoxyphenol (pMHP) have been examined in aqueous acidic solution. Under fixed reaction conditions, the kinetics display first-order dependence on each oxidant and reductant. The pH-dependence is complex for the reduction of [Cu^IIIA]⁺, since both the copper(III) complex and the reductants undergo protonation–deprotonation equilibria. In the lower pH range, the second-order rate constant, k ₂, decreases with increasing pH. In the higher pH range, k ₂ increases with increasing pH. In the lower pH range the most important oxidant is [Cu^IIIHA]²⁺, whereas, in the higher pH range the most important reactants are deprotonated reductants. However for H₂Cat, as was observed before, two reaction pathways seem to operate in the high pH range. In one pathway, HCat^? seems to be involved; whereas, in the other pathway Cat^2? seems to be the reactive species. Doubly deprotonated catechol, Cat^2?, is very unlikely to be formed at pH ≤ 5. It was therefore necessary to invoke a strong interaction between [Cu^IIIA]⁺ and HCat^? followed by loss of the second proton. The pH dependence for the reduction of [Cu^IIIB]⁺ is less complex. Thus H₂Q and MH₂Q showed no pH dependence up to pH ～ 4.60, whereas ClH₂Q, pMHP and H₂Cat displayed an inverse first-order dependence on [H⁺]. Observed rate constants showing first-order dependence and inverse first-order dependence on [H⁺] correlate reasonably well with those calculated using the Marcus equation. The reaction path involving Cat^2? is believed to proceed by an inner-sphere mechanism. The agreement between the calculated and observed values for the [Cu^IIIA]⁺ complex is lower than was found for the [Cu^IIIA₁]⁺(A₁=3,9-diethyl-4,8-diaza-3,8-undeca-2,10-dionedioxime). It seems that the replacement of methyl groups in the latter complex by phenyl groups in the former complex causes both electronic and steric effects, and both effects seem to retard electron transfer. The electronic effect is readily seen in the decrease of the reduction potential of [Cu^IIIA]⁺ (E ⁰=1.09 V) compared to the reduction potential of [Cu^IIIA₁]⁺(E ⁰=1.16 V) and thus making the former a weaker oxidant. The self-exchange rate constant (5 × 10⁵ M ^?1 s^?1) estimated for complexes with type H₂A ligands seem to work well for complexes with type H₂B ligands. This situation is supported by the findings of a fairly constant value for the self-exchange rate constant for Cu ^III/II –peptide complexes with varying substituents.     

Oxidation of aminothiols by molecular oxygen catalyzed by copper ions. Stoichiometry of the reaction

Catalysis of oxidation of aminothiols by copper ions was studied depending on the structure of aminothiols and pH of the medium. The catalytic reaction proceeds in the inner coordination sphere of Cu⁺. At pH 7—9, oxidation of bidentate aminothiols involves reduction of O₂ to H₂O₂. At pH 9—13, oxidation of chelating aminothiols is accompanied by reduction of O₂ to H₂O, whereas oxidation of weak-chelating aminothiols still proceeds by the former mechanism. In this process, the thiolate anions coordinated to the Cu⁺ ions lose one electron each and are oxidized to amino disulfides, which go from the inner sphere of the Cu⁺ complex into a solution. Procedures developed for the determination of amino disulfides, the chemiluminescence determination of H₂O₂ in the presence of aminothiols as luminescence quenchers, and a modified polarographic procedure for the determination of O₂ allowed us to establish that oxidation of aminothiols is not accompanied by catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ that formed.