Solvent effect on the kinetics and mechanism of the thermal decomposition oftris-oxalactocobaltate(III) complex

Summary The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of thetris-oxalactocobaltate(III) complex has been investigated in the presence of EtOH and (CH₂OH)₂ spectrophotometrically in the 50–70 ± 0.1 ° C range. The rate of the reaction decreases upon the addition of either of the alcohols to the reaction medium, whereas the activation energy increases. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated and are discussed in terms of the solvation effects. The influence of the dielectric constants of the solvent mixtures on the rate has been studied. A free radical mechanism is proposed and discussed.