Free-energy correlation for catalysis of outer sphere electron-transfer reactions by noncoordinated pyridine derivatives

Recent experimental data concerning the rate constants and their free energy of the outer sphere electron-transfer reactions, as catalyzed by noncoordinated pyridine derivatives in aqueous solution, are examined for possible correlation. For the electron transfer reactions between V or Eu and the bipyridyl derivatives, such as N,N'-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridyl (paraquat) or diquat, the data are correlated quite well by the Marcus equation. The electron exchange rate constant, 5 × 10⁷M^?1·s^?1, for an organic radical ion and its parent molecule obtained from semiquinones or their related compounds can be applied to these pyridine derivatives. However, in some cases such as electron transfer from paraquat or diquat cation radical to Co(en), positive departures from the Marcus model are observed. These positive departures are interpreted in terms of interaction between the molecular orbitals of electron donors and electron acceptors in the transition state.     

Kinetic characteristics of chloride-assisted oxidative dealkylation of alkylcobalamins

The recent experiments on the chloride-assisted dealkylation of alkylcobalamins by a variety of oxidants (IrCl, AuCl, Fe(H₂O)₅Cl²⁺, and PtCl), which are scattered in several previous publications, and their general kinetic characteristics are summarized. The kinetic studies are also extended to include the dealkylations of (methylaquo)?3,5,6-trimethylbenzimidazolylcobamide and protonated base-off ethylcobalamin by IrCl (1.0M Cl^?) and by Fe(III) ions at 0.1M Cl^?, and the demethylation of (methylaquo)?3,5,6-trimethylbenzimidazolylcobamide by AuCl (1.0M Cl^?). This extension is in an effort to substantiate the general mechanism which has been previously proposed for these oxidative dealkylations. The general kinetic characteristics are described in terms of a preassociation of the reactants, followed by a rate-determining electron-transfer process to yield the R-B radical, which then undergoes further reactions to produce the products observed. The overall reactions are discussed within the framework of chlorine-bridging inner sphere electron-transfer reactions.