Reduction of iodine by hydroxylamine within the pH range 0.7–3.5

The reduction of iodine by hydroxylamine within the [H⁺] range 3×10⁻¹–3×10⁻⁴ mol.L⁻¹ was first studied until completion of the reaction. In most cases, the concentration of iodine decreased monotonically. However, within a narrow range of reagent concentrations ([NH₃OH⁺]₀/[I₂]₀ ratio below 15, [H⁺] around 0.1 mol.L⁻¹, and ionic strength around 0.1 mol.L⁻¹), the [I₂] and [I₃⁻] vs. time curves showed 2 and 3 extrema, respectively. This peculiar phenomenon is discussed using a 4 reaction scheme (I₂+I⁻⇔︁I₃⁻, 2 I₂+NH₃OH⁺+H₂O→HNO₂+4 I⁻+5 H⁺, NH₃OH⁺+HNO₂→N₂O+2 H₂O+H⁺, and 2 HNO₂+2 I⁻+2 H⁺→2 NO+I₂+2 H₂O). In a flow reactor, sustained oscillations in redox potential were recorded with an extremely long period (around 24 h). The kinetics of the reaction was then investigated in the starting conditions. The proposed rate equation points out a reinforcement of the inhibition by hydrogen ions when [H⁺] is above 4×10⁻² mol.L⁻¹ at 25°C. A mechanism based on ion-transfer reactions is postulated. It involves both NH₂OH and NH₃OH⁺ as the reducing reactive species. The additional rate suppression by H⁺ at low pH would be connected to the existence of H₂OI⁺ in the reactive medium. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 785–797, 1998     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of ethylenediamine and related compounds by diperiodatoargentate (III) ion

The oxidation of ethylenediamine by diperiodatoargentate (III) ion has been studied by stopped‐flow spectrophotometry. Kinetics of this reaction involves two steps. The first step is the complexation of silver (III) with the substrate and is over in about 10 ms. This is followed by a redox reaction in the second step that occurs intramolecularly from the substrate to the silver (III) center. The rate of reduction of silver (III) species by ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, and 1,2‐ethanediol were observed to be 1.2 × 10⁴, 1.1 × 10², and 0.14 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively, at 20°C. The reaction rate shows an inverse dependence on [IO] and [OH⁻] in the low concentration range (≤1 × 10^‐3 mol dm⁻³). At higher [OH⁻] (>1 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³) the rate of reaction starts increasing and attains a limiting value at very high [OH⁻]. The rate of deamination of ethylenediamine is enhanced by its complexation with silver (III). The involvement of [Ag^III(H₂IO₆) (H₂O)₂] and [Ag^III(H₂IO₆) (OH)₂]²⁻ are suggested as the reactive silver (III) species kinetically in mild basic and basic conditions, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 286–293, 2000     

Kinetics and mechanism of the base hydrolysis of thecis-chlorobis(ethylenediamme)(benzimidazole)cobalt(III) cation

Summary The hydrolysis ofcis-[CoCl(en)₂(bzmH)]²⁺ (en=ethylenediamine, bzmH=benzimidazole) has been studied over the pH range 8.31–11.58 at I=0.1 mol dm^–3 and 25°. Potentiometric titration of aqueous solutions of the [Co(en)₂(bzmH)OH₂]³⁺ complex obtained by silver(I) catalysed aquation of the chloro-complex give pK₁=5.81 and pK₂ = 8.84 for Equilibria (1) and (2) at 25° and I=0.1 mol dm^–3. Spectrophotometric titration of the hydroxy complex also gives a value of pK₂=8.88 for the ionisation of the coordinated benzimidazole. The kinetic data can be interpreted in terms of base hydrolysis ofcis-[CoCl(en)₂(bzmH)]²⁺ (k_OH=220 dm³ mol^–1s^–1) andcis-[CoCl(en)₂(bzm)]⁺ (k_OH=14.9 dm³ mol^–1s^–1). Comparisons with the corresponding imidazole and pyridine complexes are made.     

Investigation of the water exchange mechanism of the Plutonyl(VI) and Uranyl(VI) ions with quantum chemical methods

The water exchange reactions of [PuO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺ and [UO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺ were investigated with density functional theory (DFT) and wave function theory (WFT). Geometries and vibrational frequencies were calculated with DFT and CPCM hydration. The electronic energies were evaluated with general multiconfiguration quasi-degenerate second-order perturbation theory (GMC-QDPT2). Spin-orbit (SO) effects, computed with SO configuration interaction (SO–CI), are negligible. Both Actinyl(VI) ions react via an associative exchange mechanism, most likely I_a. The Gibbs activation energies (ΔG^?) at 25 °C are 33–34 and 30–37 kJ mol^?1 for [PuO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺ and [UO₂(OH₂)₅]²⁺, respectively. ΔG^? for dissociative mechanisms (D, I_d) is higher by more than 15 kJ mol^?1.     

Kinetics of oxidation of SCN− by diperiodato cuprate(III) (DPC) in alkaline medium

The kinetics of oxidation of SCN⁻ by DPC has been investigated in alkaline medium. The reaction shows first-order dependence in [SCN⁻]. The pseudo-first-order rate constant (k_obs) changes differently under different [OH⁻]. At low [OH⁻], k_obs decreases when [OH⁻] increases, but when [OH⁻] increases to enough extent, k_obs increases with increase in [OH⁻]. Free radicals were observed in the process of reaction. A plausible mechanism involving Cu(HL)₂ and CuL as active substrates in the reaction has been proposed. The rate equations derived from the mechanism explain all the experimental phenomena satisfactorily. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chemistry of NOx and HNO3 Molecules with Gas-Phase Hydrated O.− and OH− Ions

The gas-phase reactions of O ^{. −}(H₂O)_n and OH⁻(H₂O)_n, n=20–38, with nitrogen-containing atmospherically relevant molecules, namely NO_x and HNO₃, are studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry and theoretically with the use of DFT calculations. Hydrated O ^{. −} anions oxidize NO ^. and NO₂ ^. to NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ through a strongly exothermic reaction with enthalpy of −263±47 kJ mol⁻¹ and −286±42 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating a covalent bond formation. Comparison of the rate coefficients with collision models shows that the reactions are kinetically slow with 3.3 and 6.5 % collision efficiency. Reactions between hydrated OH⁻ anions and nitric oxides were not observed in the present experiment and are most likely thermodynamically hindered. In contrast, both hydrated anions are reactive toward HNO₃ through proton transfer from nitric acid, yielding hydrated NO₃⁻. Although HNO₃ is efficiently picked-up by the water clusters, forming (HNO₃)_0–2(H₂O)_mNO₃⁻ clusters, the overall kinetics of nitrate formation are slow and correspond to an efficiency below 10 %. Combination of the measured reaction thermochemistry with literature values in thermochemical cycles yields ΔH_f(O⁻(aq.))=48±42 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔH_f(NO₂⁻(aq.))=−125±63 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Kinetics and mechanism of reaction of trans-(diaqua)(N,N′-ethylene-bis-salicylidenimine) chromium(iii) with sulfur(iv): The labilizing effect of coordinated sulfite

The reaction of trans-[Cr(Salen)(OH₂)₂]⁺ with aqueous sulfite yields trans-[Cr(Salen)(OH₂)(OSO₂(SINGLEBOND)O)]⁻ (O-bonded isomer). The rate and activation parameter data for the formation of the sulfito complex are consistent with a mechanism involving rate-limiting addition of SO₂ to the Cr^III(SINGLEBOND)OH bond. The complex ions, trans-[(OH₂)Cr(Salen)(OSO₂(SINGLEBOND)O)]⁻, and trans-[(OH)Cr(Salen)(OSO₂(SINGLEBOND)O)]²⁻, undergo reversible anation by NCS⁻, N₃⁻, imidazole, and pyridine resulting in the formation of trans-[XCr(Salen)(OSO₂(SINGLEBOND)O)]^(N+1)−(n=1 for X=N₃⁻,NCS⁻, and 0 for X=imidazole and pyridine) predominantly via dissociative interchange mechanism. The labilizing action of the coordinated sulfite on the trans-Cr^III-X bond in trans-[XCr(Salen)(OSO₂)]⁽ⁿ⁺¹⁾⁻ follows the sequence: NCS⁻pyridine ca. N₃⁻ ca. imidazole. Data analysis indicated that the coordinated sulfite has little trans activating influence. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 373–384, 1998     

Thermochemistry and Kinetics of the Thermal Decomposition of 1‐Chlorohexane

A theoretical kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of 1‐chlorohexane in gas phase between 600 and 1000 K was performed. Transition‐state theory and unimolecular reaction rate theory were combined with molecular information provided by quantum chemical calculations. Particularly, the B3LYP, BMK, M05–2X, and M06–2X formulations of the density functional theory (DFT) and the high‐level ab initio methods G3B3 and G4 were employed. The possible reaction channels for the thermal decomposition of 1‐chlorohexane were investigated, and the reaction takes place through the elimination of HCl with the formation of 1‐hexene. The derived high‐pressure limit rate coefficients are k _∞(600–1000 K) = (8 ± 5) × 10¹³ exp[‐((56.7 ± 0.4) kcal mol⁻¹/RT )] s⁻¹. The pressure effect over the reaction was analyzed from the calculation of the low‐pressure limit rate coefficients and the falloff curves. In addition, the standard enthalpies of formation at 298 K of −46.9 ± 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for 1‐chlorohexane and 5.8 ± 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for C₆H₁₃ radical were derived from isodesmic and isogiric reactions at high levels of theory.     

Nature of mercury inclusion in intermediate 6-valence electron [M@Au8Hgx(PPh3)8]n+ (M = Au,Pd, Pt; x = 0-2) protected gold superatoms: Insights from relativistic density functional theory calculations

Superatomic clusters offer useful templates displaying distinctive physical and chemical characteristics. Here, we explore the [M@Au₈(PPh₃)₈]ⁿ⁺ (M = Au, n = 3; Pd, Pt, n = 2) robust framework to gain an understanding of the nature of the inclusion of mercury atoms at Au₄ faces, leading to [M@Au₈Hg_x(PPh₃)₈]ⁿ⁺ (x = 1, 2). Our results show a weak interaction of about 25 kcal mol⁻¹ per Hg atom, which is mainly of electrostatic character, followed by orbital and London dispersion-type interactions. This weak interaction can be understood as the formation of host-guest species, for which the inherent electronic and optical properties of the [M@Au₈(PPh₃)₈] cluster along the series do not vary to a large extent. This demonstrates that, in [M@Au₈Hg_x(PPh₃)₈], each Hg can be considered an inclusion atom rather than a dopant element, where the parent cluster is able to act as a Lewis acid host. Furthermore, the viable formation of such species can serve as useful examples to stimulate future experimental characterization of inclusion complexes involving related superatomic structures with available open faces.     

Alginate polyelectrolyte ionotropic gels. XVIII. Oxidation of alginate polysaccharide by potassium permanganate in alkaline solutions: Kinetics of decomposition of intermediate complex

The kinetics of decomposition of [Alg · Mn ^VIO₄^2?] intermediate complex have been investigated spectrophotometrically at a constant ionic strength of 0.5 mol dm^?3. The decomposition reaction was found to be first-order in the intermediate concentration. The results showed that the rate of reaction was base-catalyzed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and found to be ΔS^? = ?103.88±6.18 J mol^?1 K^?1, ΔH^? = 51.61 ± 1.02 kJ mol^?1, and ΔG^? = 82.57 ± 2.86 kJ mol^?1, respectively. A reaction mechanism consistent with the results is discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics and lifetime of the complex of terbium p-chlorobenzoate with 1,10-phenanthroline

The complex of [Tb₂(p-ClBA)₆(PHEN)₂] [(p-ClBA: p-chlorobenzoate and PHEN: 1,10-phenanthroline) was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior of [Tb₂(p-ClBA)₆(PHEN)₂] in dynamic nitrogen atmosphere was investigated by TG-DTG, SEM and IR techniques. By the kinetic method of processing thermal analysis data put forward by Malek et al., it is defined that the kinetic model for the first-step thermal decomposition is SB(m,n). The activation energy E and the pre-exponential factor lnA for this step reaction are 164 kJ mol^-1 and 32.80, respectively. The lifetime equation at mass loss of 10% was deduced as lnτ=(-33.0569+20512.36/T by isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Anomalous Stoichiometry and Antiferromagnetic Ordering for the Extended Hydroxymanganese(II) Cubes/Hexacyanometalate-Based 3D-Structured [MnII4(OH)4][MnII(CN)6](OH2)6⋅H2O

The reaction of Mn^II(O₂CMe)₂ and NaCN or LiCN in water forms a light green insoluble material. Structural solution and Rietveld refinement of high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data for this unprecedented, complicated compound of previously unknown composition revealed a new alkali-free ordered structural motif with [Mn^II₄(μ₃-OH)₄]⁴⁺ cubes and octahedral [Mn^II(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions interconnected in 3D by Mn^II-N≡C-Mn^II linkages. The composition is {[Mn^II(OH₂)₃][Mn^II(OH₂)]₃}(μ₃-OH)₄][Mn^II(μ-CN)₂(CN)₄] ⋅ H₂O=[Mn^II₄(μ₃-OH)₄(OH₂)₆][Mn^II(μ-CN)₂(CN)₄] ⋅ H₂O, which is further simplified to [Mn₄(OH)₄][Mn(CN)₆](OH₂)₇ ( 1 ). 1 has four high-spin (S=5/2) Mn^II sites that are antiferromagnetically coupled within the cube and are antiferromagnetically coupled to six low-spin (S=1/2) octahedral [Mn^II(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions. Above 40 K the magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), can be fitted to the Curie–Weiss expression, χ ∝(T−θ)⁻¹, with θ=−13.4 K, indicative of significant antiferromagnetic coupling and 1 orders as an antiferromagnet at T_c=7.8 K.     

2,4′-Bipyridyl complexes with cobalt(II) and nickel(II)

Summary Complexes of empirical formulae [ML₂Cl₂(OH₂)₂], [CoL₂Br₂(OH₂)₂]L·4H₂O, [NiL₂Br₂(OH₂)₂]L₂·2H₂O, [ML₂(OH₂)₄]L₂(NO₃)₂ and [ML₄(OH₂)₂](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O (M = Co^II, Ni^II, L = 2,4-bipyridyl) were synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. The thermal decomposition of the complexes was also investigated.Author to whom all correspondence should be directed.     

Rate coefficients for the gas‐phase reaction of OH radicals with selected dihydroxybenzenes and benzoquinones

Rate coefficients have been determined for the gas‐phase reaction of the hydroxyl (OH) radical with the aromatic dihydroxy compounds 1,2‐dihydroxybenzene, 1,2‐dihydroxy‐3‐methylbenzene and 1,2‐dihydroxy‐4‐methylbenzene as well as the two benzoquinone derivatives 1,4‐benzoquinone and methyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone. The measurements were performed in a large‐volume photoreactor at (300 ± 5) K in 760 Torr of synthetic air using the relative kinetic technique. The rate coefficients obtained using isoprene, 1,3‐butadiene, and E‐2‐butene as reference hydrocarbons are k_OH(1,2‐dihydroxybenzene) = (1.04 ± 0.21) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹, k_OH(1,2‐dihydroxy‐3‐methylbenzene) = (2.05 ± 0.43) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹, k_OH(1,2‐dihydroxy‐4‐methylbenzene) = (1.56 ± 0.33) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹, k_OH(1,4‐benzoquinone) = (4.6 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹² cm³ s⁻¹, k_OH(methyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone) = (2.35 ± 0.47) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ s⁻¹. This study represents the first determination of OH radical reaction‐rate coefficients for these compounds. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 696–702, 2000     

A kinetic study of the homogeneous oxidation of hydroxylamine by manganese(III)-bis(salicylaldimine) complexes

Summary The kinetics of the oxidation of hydroxylamine by manganese(III)-bis (salicylaldimine) complexes have been studied over the 5.2–8.4 pH range. The reaction is first order in both hydroxylamine and oxidant, and inversely proportional to [H⁺]. The [complex]: [hydroxylamine] stoichiometric ratio is 11 in both acidic and neutral media, and 21 in an alkaline medium. The second-order rate constant increased in the sequence: [Mn^III(L²)OH₂]-ClO₄·2H₂O > [Mn^III(L¹)OH₂]ClO₄ > [Mn^IIIL¹)OAc]-H₂O. The reactivity of unprotonated hydroxylamine is much higher than that of the protonated form. The reaction rate decreased significantly with addition of chloride ions. A plausible mechanism is proposed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of glycolaldehyde by tetrachloroaurate(III)

The kinetics of the reaction between glycolaldehyde (GA) and tetrachloroaurate(III) in acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer has been studied. The reaction is first-order with respect to [Au^III] as well as [GA]. Both H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions retard the rate of reaction. AuCl₄⁻, AuCl₃(OH₂), and AuCl₃(OH)⁻ are the reactive species of gold(III) with gradually increasing reactivity. A reaction mechanism involving two-electron transfer rate determining steps has been proposed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 613–619, 1998     

Kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of intermediate complex during oxidation of pectate polysaccharide by potassium permanganate in alkaline solutions

The kinetics of decomposition of an [Pect·Mn^VIO₄^2?] intermediate complex have been investigated spectrophotometrically at various temperatures of 15–30°C and a constant ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm^?3. The decomposition reaction was found to be first‐order in the intermediate concentration. The results showed that the rate of reaction was base‐catalyzed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and found to be ΔS^≠ = ? 190.06 ± 9.84 J mol^?1 K^?1, ΔH^≠ = 19.75 ± 0.57 kJ mol^?1, and ΔG^≠ = 76.39 ± 3.50 kJ mol^?1, respectively. A reaction mechanism consistent with the results is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 67–72, 2003     

Hydroformylation of Oct‐1‐ene in Novel Ionic Liquid Crystals

Hydroformylation of oct‐1‐ene leading to nonanal (denoted by n) and 2‐methyloctanal (denoted by iso), in a novel series of caprolactam‐based and common imidazolium‐based ionic liquid crystals (ILCs; see Fig. 1) carried out for the first time (caprolactam=hexahydro‐2H‐azepin‐2‐one) (Scheme). Variation of the chain length (n) of the alkyl substituent (C_n) at the caprolactam cation (CP⁺) from n=12 to 18 caused the n/iso ratios to vary from 1.7 to 2.9. Meanwhile, the TOF (turnover frequency) decreased from 148 to 122 mol mol⁻¹ h⁻¹. Hydroformylation in the imidazolium‐based ILCs revealed that [C₁₆MIm]⋅BF₄ (n/iso 5.2, TOF 969 mol mol⁻¹ h⁻¹) was more favorable than [C₁₆MIm]⋅MsO (n/iso 3.7, TOF 969 mol mol⁻¹ h⁻¹) for the formation of the unbranched aldehyde. Although the n/iso ratio in caprolactam‐based ILCs was lower than that in imidazolium‐based ILCs, the conversions are higher in the former ILCs on the whole. It should be noted that the lamellar mesophase has a strong effect on the regioselectivity and TOF of the hydroformylation. Also, it is evident that the influences of different ILCs on the hydroformylation under the various reaction conditions are greatly different. The identification of the reaction products was established by GC and GC/MS analyses.     

Kinetic study of the reaction between [Re2O3(CN)8]4- and cyanide ions

A kinetic study of the reaction between [Re₂O₃(CN)₈]^4- and cyanide ions indicated that [ReO₂(CN)₄]^3- and [Re(CN)₇]^4-, the final products, are both generated at a rate of 1.30(8)×10^-4s^-1 at 38.2°C and pH=12. From the nonlinear kinetics, it is deduced that cyanide ions react with [Re₂O₃(CN)₈]^4- in a fast equilibrium step followed by slow decomposition to give [ReO₂(CN)₄]^3- as the first product and [Re(CN)₇]^4- after a subsequent fast reduction and substitution step. The activation parameters H 54(7)kJ mol^-1 and S = -145(22)J K^-1 mol^-1 were determined.     

Kinetic study of the ligand substitution on the trimethylplatinum(iv) complexes with unidentate ligands

Ligand substitution kinetics for the reaction [Pt^IVMe₃(X)(NN)]+NaY=[Pt^IVMe₃(Y)(NN)]+NaX, where NN=bipy or phen, X=MeO⁻, CH₃COO⁻, or HCOO⁻, and Y=SCN⁻ or N₃⁻, has been studied in methanol at various temperatures. The kinetic parameters for the reaction are as follows. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OMe)(phen)] with NaSCN: k₁=36.1±10.0 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=65.9±14.2 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=6±47 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.0355±0.0034 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=63.8±1.1 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−58.8±3.6 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=148±19. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OAc)(bipy)] with NaN₃: k₁=26.2±0.1 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=60.5±6.6 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=−14±22 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.134±0.081 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=74.1±24.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−10±82 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=0.479±0.012. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OAc)(bipy)] with NaSCN: k₁=26.4±0.3 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=59.6±6.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=−17±23 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.174±0.200 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=62.7±10.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−48±35 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=1.01±0.08. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OOCH)(bipy)] with NaN₃: k₁=36.8±0.3 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=66.4±4.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=7±16 J mol⁻¹K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.164±0.076 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=47.0±18.1 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−101±61 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=5.90±0.18. The reaction of [PtMe₃(OOCH)(bipy)] with NaSCN: k₁ =33.5±0.2 s⁻¹; ΔH₁^≠=58.0±0.4 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₁^≠=−20.5±1.6 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; k₋₂=0.222±0.083 s⁻¹; ΔH₋₂^≠=54.9±6.3 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS₋₂^≠=−73.0±21.3 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹; and k₋₁/k₂=12.0±0.3. Conditional pseudo-first-order rate constant k₀ increased linearly with the concentration of NaY, while it decreased drastically with the concentration of NaX. Some plausible mechanisms were examined, and the following mechanism was proposed. [Note to reader: Please see article pdf to view this scheme.] © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 523–532, 1998