Extended Hückel MO calculations of the conformation of several amino acids

The conformation of the amino acid residues, glycine, alanine, proline, and phenylalanine have been predicted from molecular orbital calculations of appropriate model compounds. Using the current main chain rotation convention (, ) the principle conformations were found to be glycine (0, 0), alanine (240, 240), proline (120, 330) and phenylalanine (30, 330). Several secondary conformations were also found for glycine. A comparison of the predicted conformations is in good agreement with experimental data on comparable residues or model compounds.Supported by National Institutes of Health Grants No. FR 5409-07 and GM 16312-01.Recipient of a Public Health Service Research Career Development Award AM 1159-01.     

Oxidation of [Co(en)2(SOCH2CO2)]+ by S2O82− and by IO4− in binary aqueous solvent mixtures at pressures up to 1.25 kbar

Second order rate constants and activation parameters H, S, and V have been measured for the oxidation of [Co(en)2(SOCH2CO2)]+ by S2O82– and by IO4– in highly aqueous H2O – t-BuOH mixtures. The changes in solvation on going from the initial to the transition state are discussed on the basis of the transfer functions Gto, Hto and Sto. Whereas Gt changes smoothly as the proportion of t-BuOH increases, the plots of Ht and TSt exhibit mirror behaviour and pass through extrema located around x2(t- BuOH)=0.038. Information on the role of solvation is complemented by the determination of activation volumes. These are discussed in terms of intrinsic and solvational contributions. It is proposed that changes in hydrophobic hydration are of principal importance in determining the response of H, S, and V to changes in solvent composition in H2O – t-BuOH mixtures.     

Surface tension as a function of temperature for some molten metals

Results are given for Sn, In, and Ge from the melting points up to 1700 C, for Pb up to 1400 C, for Tl up to 1100 C, for Bi up to 1300 C, and for Cd up to 600 C. In every case the surface tension is a linear function of temperature. Estimates are made of the critical temperatures of Cd and Ge. It is shown that deductions on the structure of the melts can be drawn from surface-tension data.     

Measurement of specific heat and energetic characterization of materials up to high temperatures

A new DSC system has been developed which not only allows quantitative results in the temperature of –160C to 700C, but also allows the quantitative determination of a variety of material properties up to 1500C. For example, the specific heat of materials can be measured to at least 1400C, while enthalpies, etc. can be measured to 1500C.

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Zusammenfassung Ein neuartiges DSC Messystem (Netzsch DSC 404) wurde entwickelt, das sich durch hohe Reproduzierbarkeit der Basislinie, grosse Empfindlichkeit und breiten Temperaturanwendungsbereich (–160C bis 700C resp. bis 1500C) auszeichnet. Die Messanordnung ermöglicht die Verwendung von unterschiedlichen GasatmosphÄren als auch Messungen im Vakuum. Es werden Beispiele der Bestimmung von SchmelzvorgÄngen, der Glasumwandlungstemperatur, der KristallinitÄt und der spezifischen WÄrme, sowohl für Polymere als auch für anorganische Materialien dargestellt und diskutiert.

     

Isomer conversions in perfluoro-1-ethylindane under the action of antimony pentafluoride

Perfluoro-1-ethylindane on heating with SbF₅ is isomerized to perfluoro-1,1-dimethylindane, perfluoro-,-o-trimethylstyrene, and perfluoro-1,2-dimethylindane. In the presence of SbF₅, the latter two products are converted one into the other. In addition, in SbF₅ perfluoro-1,2-dimethylindane is defluorinated to perfluoro-2,3-dimethylindene and fluorinated to perfluoro-2,3-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindene which is further fluorinated to perfluoro-1,2-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindane and is converted at 200C to perfluoro-1,7-dimethylindane. The latter is also formed on heating perfluoro-,-o-trimethylstyrene with SbF₅ at 200C.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 645–652, March, 1990.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of irradiated polyvinyl chloride

Summary Effects of gamma radiation on the dynamic mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been studied at audio frequencies from 80 K to 450 K for doses up to 1400 megarads. Two damping peaks were observed between 80 K and 400 K. The onset of main relaxation near 350 K shifted to lower temperatures at low doses, and then shifted to higher temperatures at a dose of 1400 megarads. Only slight changes are discernible in the damping peak near 250 K upon irradiation, but definite variations are noted in the modulus curves. Upon irradiation to 270 megarads an additional damping peak appeared near 150 K accompanied by an increase in modulus at lower temperatures. The height of this peak increased with increasing radiation dose.Crosslinking was confirmed from rubber elastic behavior, swelling, and solvent extraction studies. Some tentative explanations for the changes occurring in the dynamic mechanical properties of irradiated PVC are given in terms of crosslinking, loss of crystallinity, and dehydrochlorination followed by the formation of conjugated series of double bonds.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Wirkung von-Strahlung auf die dynamisch-mechanischen Eigenschaften von Polyvinylchlorid (PVC) bei Hörfrequenzen von 80 K bis 450 K für Dosen bis zu 1400 Megarad untersucht. Zwei Dämpfungspiks zeigen sich zwischen 80 und 400 K. Das Einsetzen der Hauptrelaxation nahe 350 K verlagert sich zu tieferen Temperaturen bei kleineren Dosen, um dann zu höheren Temperaturen bei einer Dosis von 1400 Megarad hinaufzugehen. Nur leichte änderungen sind im Dämpfungspik nahe 250 K durch die Strahlung zu beobachten; aber in der Modulkurve werden definierte Variationen erkennbar. Nach Bestrahlung mit 270 Megarad erscheint ein zusätzlicher Dämpfungspik nahe 150 K, begleitet durch ein Anwachsen des Moduls zu tieferen Temperaturen. Die Höhe dieses Piks wächst mit wachsender Strahlungsdosis.Die Vernetzung wurde aus dem gummielastischen Verhalten, der Quellung und aus Lösungsmittel-Extraktionen bestimmt. Die im dynamisch-mechanischen Verhalten durch die Strahlung des PVC auftretenden änderungen werden auf Grund der Vernetzung, der Abnahme an Kristallinität, der Dehydrochlorierung — gefolgt durch die Bildung von Serien konjugierter Doppelbildungen — erklärt.

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This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

Analytische Dichtegradienten-Zentrifugation bei Temperaturen zwischen +4?C und +40?C

Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, da\ die bei der analytischen Dichtegradienten-Zentrifugation benötigten Parameter, die von Hearst u. Mitarb. tabelliert wurden, auch für andere Temperaturen als 25C gültig sind. Das ist von gro\er Wichtigkeit, da hochempfindliche Enzyme nur bei Temperaturen um + 4C lÄnger als 24 h nativ bleiben. Man ist deshalb auf eine Zentrifugation bei dieser Temperatur angewiesen. Weil man oft nur sehr wenig Substanz isolieren kann, bleibt nur die Dichtegradienten-Zentrifugation als Methode der Wahl. Ein Vergleich der gemessenen Molekulargewichte bei 6C und 25C zeigt keine Abweichungen, die über die Me\genauigkeit hinausgehen.

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Analytical density gradient centrifugation at temperatures between +4C and +40 C

It is shown that all the parameters needed for analytical density gradient centrifugation tabulated by Hearst et al. for 25C are valid for other temperatures, too. This will be important in the investigation of highly sensitive enzymes which are only stable at temperatures near +4C over a period of 24 h. Comparison of molecular weights determined at 6C und 25C shows no difference greater than 2%, which will be within the experimental error.

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Das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Wissenschaft hat diese Arbeiten gro\zügig unterstützt.     

Thermal study of synthesis of cryptohalite

The present work represents a thermal study of synthesis of cryptohalite (Ammonium silicon hexafluoride) by sintering of quartz with ammonium fluoride using a derivatograph. The reaction products were identified microscopically and by using a Siemens Crystalloflex diffractometer. The DTA curves indicate that the intensive formation of cryptohalite takes place at 125–155C by an endothermic reaction. Cryptohalite is unstable and dissociates at 320–335C as represented by the sharp and large endothermic peaks at these temperatures.The resulted cryptohalite is colorless in thin sections and crystallizes in cubic system, in the form of octahedral crystals with perfect (111) cleavage. The dimorph bararite is not detected in all runs.

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Zusammenfassung Mittels eines Derivatographen wurde die Synthese von Kryptohalit (Ammoniumsiliziumhexafluorid) durch Sintern von Quarz mit Ammoniumfluorid thermisch untersucht. Die Reaktionsprodukte wurden mikroskopisch und mit Hilfe eines Siemens-Crystalloflex Diffraktometers identifiziert. Die DTA-Kurven zeigen, da\ die intensive Bildung von Kryptohalit in einer endothermen Reaktion bei 125–155C abläuft. Wie durch die scharfen und intensiven endothermen Peaks bei 320–335C gezeigt wird, ist Kryptohalit bei dieser Temperatur instabil und dissoziiert.Das erhaltene Kryptohalit ist in dünnen Schnitten farblos und kristallisiert im kubischen System in der Form von oktaedrischen Kristallen mit perfekter (111) Spaltbarkeit. Das dimorphe Bararit konnte in keinem der Versuche beobachtet werden.

     

Isokinetic relationships (IKRs) in organometallic and coordination chemistry: Reactions of Ru5C(CO)14{P(OPh)3} and other complexes

The linear compensation plot of H versus S for associative substitution reactions of Ru5C(CO)14 {P(OPh3)} with seven P-donor nucleophiles suggests that an isokinetic temperature, Tiso, of 253±10K exists. A detailed statistical analysis by the Linert-Exner method shows that the data are consistent with there being a genuine isokinetic temperature at 245K at which reactions with six out of the seven nucleophiles proceed at the same rate. This can be shown more easily, graphically more vividly, and with quantitatively the same or better results, by a simplified version of an earlier method due to Krug, Greiger et al. in which H values are found to depend linearly on corresponding values of G calculated at a suitably chosen temperature. This isokinetic behaviour is closely related to that shown by the linear free energy analysis of the rates in terms of the electronic and steric properties of the nucleophiles. The temperature dependence of the sensitivity of the rates to these electronic and steric properties suggests that the major factors involved are entropic rather than enthalpic, reactions with larger nucleophiles actually being favoured by enthalpic factors. Steric profiles obtained at different temperatures all pass through a common point with an isokinetic cone angle of 153°. A few examples of other reactions of organometallic or coordination compounds that show linear compensation plots of H versus S are also analysed by the Linert- Exner and Krug-Greiger methods. Some do show unambiguous isokinetic behaviour but others do not, even though the compensation plots appear to be linear.     

Relaxation during internal rotation ethane and hydrogen peroxyde

An ab initio SCF-LCAO-MO study of the relaxation process during internal rotation has been performed for ethane and hydrogen peroxyde. A large gaussian basis set has been used, with polarization functions. The total energy has been optimized with respect to the bond lengths and bond angles. The computed barrier for the ethane molecule is 3.07 kcal/mole with the optimized geometry (experimental 2.93 kcal/mole). For hydrogen peroxyde, this yields a cis-barrier of 10.9 kcal/mole (experimental 7.0 kcal/mole) and a trans barrier of 0.6 kcal/mole (experimental 1.1 kcal/mole), with a dihedral angle equal to 123 (experimental 111–120). The eclipsed or cis conformations are found to have more open structures than the staggered or equilibrium conformations.

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Zusammenfassung Der Relaxationsproze\ wÄhrend der inneren Rotation wurde für Äthan und Wasserstoffperoxid mit Hilfe einer ab initio SCF-LCAO-MO-Rechnung untersucht. Dabei wurde eine gro\e Basis von Gau\funktionen mit Polarisationsfunktionen benutzt. Die Gesamtenergie wurde unter Variation der BindungslÄnge und Bindungswinkel optimiert. Die berechnete Rotationsbarriere mit der optimalen Geometrie betrÄgt 3,07 kcal/Mol für Äthan (experimentell 2,93 kcal/Mol). Für Wasserstoffperoxid ergibt sich eine cis-Barriere von 10,9 kcal/Mol (experimentell 7,0 kcal/Mol) und eine trans-Barriere von 0,6 kcal/Mol (experimentell 1,1 kcal/Mol) sowie ein Verdrillungswinkel von 123 (experimentell 111–120). Die verdeckten oder cis-Konformationen besitzen mehr offene Strukturen als die gestaffelten oder die Gleichgewichtskonformationen.

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Résumé Une étude des phénomènes de relaxation liés à la rotation interne a été effectuée pour l'ethane et l'eau oxygénée par la méthode ab initio SCF-LCAO-MO. Avec une base étendue de fonctions gaussiennes comprenant des fonctions de polarisation, on minimise l'énergie par rapport aux longueurs et aux angles des liaisons. La barrière calculée pour l'ethane est de 3,07 kcal/mole (valeur expérimentale 2,93 kcal/mole). Pour l'eau oxygénée, on trouve pour les barrières cis 10,9 kcal/mole, trans 0,6 kcal/mole et pour l'angle dièdre 123 (values expérimentales 7,0 et 1,1 kcal/mole et 111–120). Les conformations éclipsée ou cis possèdent des structures plus «ouvertes» que les conformations en étoile ou trans.

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Quantum Mechanical Calculations on Barriers to Internal Rotation. Part VI. Preceding paper, Ref. [35].     

Kinetics and mechanism of the interaction of DL-methionine with cis-diaquaethylenediamine platinum(II) perchlorate in aqueous medium

The kinetics of the interaction of DL-methionine with [Pt(en)(H2O)2]2+ have been studied spectrophotometrically as a function of [Pt(en)(H2O)22+], [DL-methionine], PH and temperature. The reaction proceeds via a rapid outer sphere association followed by two slow consecutive steps having first order dependence on the aqua ion and methionine concentrations. Activation parameters have been evaluated using the Eyring equation. The low H1 (15.6 kJ mol–1) and large negative value of S1 (–230 J K–1 mol–1) as well as H2 (19.5 kJ mol–1) and S2 (–226 J K–1 mol–1) indicate an associative mode of activation for both the aqua ligand substitution processes in the two consecutive steps.     

Molecular orbital calculations of rotational strengths: A study of skewed diketones

A skewed glyoxal molecule is considered as a model for the study of the optical activity of -diketones. The rotational strengths are calculated for various angles of twist, between trans (=0) and cis ( = 180). The wavefunctions are computed both by the extended Hückel method and by the SCF-CNDO method, considering all 22 valence electrons. The effect of configuration interaction is studied. All two-center terms are included in the calculation of the electric and magnetic transition moments. The results predict the rotational strength of the lowest transition to be negative for 0 < < 90 when the molecule is twisted in a right-handed way and to be positive for 90 < < 180. In general, the lowest transition is followed by a transition with opposite rotational strength, in analogy to the predictions of a simple exciton model.

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Zusammenfassung Ein aus der ebenen Lage gedrehtes Glyoxalmolekül wird als Modell zum Studium der optischen AktivitÄt von -Diketonen betrachtet. Die RotationsstÄrken werden für verschiedene Drehwinkel ermittelt, zwischen trans ( = 0) und cis ( =180). Die Berechnung der Wellenfunktionen erfolgt sowohl nach der erweiterten Hückelmethode als auch nach dem SCF-CNDO-Verfahren, unter Berücksichtigung aller 22 Valenzelektronen. Der Einflu\ der Konfigurationswechselwirkung wird studiert. Die Berechnung der elektrischen und magnetischen übergangsmomente schlie\t alle Zweizentren-BeitrÄge ein. Die Resultate zeigen, da\ die RotationsstÄrke des langwelligsten übergangs im Falle eines rechtsgedrehten Moleküls negativ ist für 0 < < 90 und positiv für 90 < < 180. Im allgemeinen wird der langwelligste übergang von einem übergang mit entgegengesetzter RotationsstÄrke gefolgt, in Analogie zu den Voraussagen eines einfachen Exziton-Modells.

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Résumé Une molécule de glyoxale non-plane est considérée comme modèle pour l'étude de l'activité optique de -dicétones. Les forces rotatoires sont calculées pour différents angles de torsion, entre la position trans (=0) et cis (=180). Les fonctions d'onde sont calculées par les méthodes extended Hückel, ainsi que SCF-CNDO, en considérant les 22 electrons de valence. L'effet de l'interaction de configurations est étudié. Tous les termes bicentriques sont inclus dans le calcul des moments de transition électriques et magnétiques. Les résultats montrent que la force rotatoire de la transition de plus basse fréquence est négative pour 0 < < 90 dans une molécule tournée en sens droit et positive pour 90 < < 180. En général, la transition de plus basse fréquence est suivie d'une transition dont la force rotatoire est opposée, en analogie aux prédictions d'un simple modèle exciton.

     

Growth transition and morphology change in polypropylene

The growth rate of isotactic polypropylene is deduced from microscopic observations during isothermal crystallizations. A change in the growth regime is observed at 138 C and interpreted as a Regime III Regime II transition, according to Hoffman's kinetic theory of polymer crystallization. A Regime II Regime I transition is also theoretically predicted at 155 C, i. e. at a temperature outside the investigated temperature range. The Regime III Regime II transition is related to the positive to negative change in the spherulite birefringence, which is generally attributed to a change in the organization of crystalline lamellae: quadritic arrays of intercrossing lamellae atT _c < 138 C (Regime III) and preferentially radiating lamellae atT _c > 138 C (Regime II). It is suggested that such a morphological change could be interpreted using the concept of non-adjacent re-entry introduced in Hoffman's kinetic theory. This interpretation could also explain the interspherulitic ruptures observed in negative spherulites.     

Molecular structure of aniline in the gaseous phase: A concerted study by electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure of free aniline has been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio MO calculations at the HF and MP2 levels of theory, using the 6-31G^*(6D) basis set. Least-squares refinement of a model withC _s symmetry, with constraints from MP2 calculations, has led to an accurate determination of the C-C-C angle at theipso position of the benzene ring, =119.0±0.2 (where the uncertainty represents total error). This parameter provides information on the extent of the interaction between the nitrogen lone pair and the system of the benzene ring, and could not be determined accurately by microwave spectroscopy. The angles at theortho, meta, andpara positions of the ring are 120.3±0.1, 120.7±0.1, and 119.0±0.3, respectively. Important bond distances are r _g(C-C)=1.398±0.003 å andr _g(C-N) =1.407±0.003 å. The effective dihedral angle between the H-N-H plane and the ring plane, averaged over the large-amplitude inversion motion of the amino group, is ¦¦=44±4. The equilibrium dihedral angle is calculated to be 41.8 at the HF level and 43.6 at the MP2 level, in agreement with far-infrared spectroscopic information. The MO calculations predict that the differencer(C_ortho-C_meta) -r(C_ipso-C_ortho) is 0.008–0.009 å. They also indicate that the nitrogen atom is displaced from the ring plane, on the side opposite to the amino hydrogens. The displacement is 0.049 å at the HF level and 0.072 å at the MP2 level. The two calculations, however, yield very different patterns for the minute deviations from planarity of the ring carbons.     

Etude,par atd,du diagramme d'etat de l'arsenic et mesure de son enthalpie de fusion aux conditions du point triple

Résumé L'ATD de l'arsenic placé dans des ampoules à volume mort non nul montre deux types de courbes selon la valeur du rapportV/m entreV, volume interne de l'ampoule etm, masse d'échantillon.La répartition des domaines de phases, dans le planT — V/m, est décrite. Elle permet de déterminer le volume spécifique de la vapeur d'arsenic au point triple. Le résultat obtenu (7.90 mm³ · mg^–1) s'accorde avec le fait que la vapeur d'arsenic est alors constituée de molécules tétraatomiques. Les courbes d'ATD obtenues permettent enfin une estimation de l'enthalpie de fusion de l'arsenic au point triple. La valeur obtenue (24.2 kJ · mol^–1) est en bon accord avec les résultats décrits dans la littérature.

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For DTA studies, arsenic samples are placed in silica ampoules which are evacuated and sealed. Since the arsenic sample does not fill the whole inner volume of the ampoule, theV/m ratio (whereV is the inner volume andm is the weight of the sample) can be varied. Depending on theV/m value, two kinds of curves are obtained. The distribution of phase regions in theT vs.V/m space is described. This distribution makes it possible to determine the specific volume of arsenic vapor at the triple point. The result obtained (7.90 mm³ mg^–1) is consistent with As₄ molecules in the vapor phase. From the DTA curves obtained, the heat of fusion of arsenic is estimated. The result (24.2 kJ mol^–1) is consistent with the values reported in the literature.

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Zusammenfassung DTA-Untersuchungen von Arsenik in Ampullen mit einem von Null verschiedenem Totvolumen, weisen je nach Verhältnis des inneren VolumensV der Ampulle und der Massem der Probe,V/m, zwei Typen von Kurven auf.Die Verteilung der Phasenbereiche in der FunktionT-V/m wird beschrieben. Sie gestattet die Bestimmung des spezifischen Volumens des Arsenikdampfes am Tripelpunkt. Das erhaltene Ergebnis (7.90 mm³ · mg^–1) stimmt mit der Existenz von As₄-Molekülen in der Dampfphase überein.Aus den erhaltenen DTA-Kurven wurde die der Schmelzenthalpie von Arsenik abgeschätzt. Der erhaltene Wert (24.2 kJ · mol^–1) ist in guter Übereinstimmung mit den in der Literatur veröffentlichten Ergebnissen.

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, , , . , V/m, V- , «» — . V/m . – V/m. . — 7.90 ³ · ^–1 — , As₄ · Ha - , 24.2 . ^–1. .

     

Synthesis and constants of 6-nitro-2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1h)-one

In the literature, there has appeared a communication [1] on the synthesis of 6-nitro-2, 3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-one (I) with mp 125–126C (2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, mp 269–270C) by the reaction of p-nitroaniline with acrylic acid. Quinolinone I with mp 232–234C (2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, mp 327–329C) was obtained by us by decarboxycyclization of N-(2-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl)--alanine in acetic anhydride in the presence of potassium acetate [2].Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1390–1392, October, 1979.     

Swelling equilibrium and preferential sorption of crosslinked poly(methyl methacrylate) in the mixture acetonitrile + n-butanol

Measurements of preferential sorption,( ₃), determined by refractometry, and swelling equilibrium, ₃ ^–1, of PMMA networks have been carried out in the cosolvent mixture MeCN+BuOH at 25 and 49 C. With an intermediate mixture composition, ₃ ^–1 passes through a maximum at both temperatures. At 25 C MeCN is preferentially adsorbed by the network over most of the composition range, but a small inversion is detected. At 49 C MeCN is preferentially adsorbed over all the composition range.The behavior of the system crosslinked PMMA/MeCN + BuOH is compared with the results obtained for solutions of linear PMMA in mixtures formed by the same two solvents, MeCN and BuOH.     

DTA identification of polycaprolactone

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a new material used in orthopedics. It is characterized by an endothermic melting peak at about 61C, an endothermic decomposition peak at about 380C and an exothermic peak at about 453C. These three observed phenomena and the corresponding thermodynamic data made it easily possible to identify PCL among the other polymers previously examined with Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA).

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Zusammenfassung Polycaprolacton ist ein neuartiger Kunststoff, der in der OrthopÄdie als Knochenersatz Verwendung findet. Die Charakterisierung und Identifizierung kann durch thermoanalytische Messungen (DTA) auf Grund von endothermen VorgÄngen bei 61 und 380C und eines exothermen Vorgangs bei 453C erfolgen.

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The authors thank A. Crestin for technical contribution.     

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

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 H=78 kJ mol–1 and S298=–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, H=53 kJ mol–1 and S298=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 Brønsted 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 H=110 kJ mol–1 and S298=171 J K–1 mol–1 are consistent with an SN1(CB) mechanism.