Ion activities and copper electrode reactions in magnesium sulphate solutions

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies have revealed conventional mean-ion and convenient single-ion activity coefficients for copper(II), magnesium and sulphate ions and standard exchange rates for either step of the liquid Cu(Hg)/Cu(II) electrode and of the solid Cu/Cu(II) electrode, all in 0.005 mol kg^?1 CuSO₄+0.005 mol kg^?1 H₂SO₄+(x?0.01) mol kg^?1MgSO₄ (for x=0.2 to 3) at 25°C. With increasing x, the sulphate activity coefficient steadily falls, the copper(II) and magnesium activity coefficients go through a minimum near x=1, and the standard rates fall. The kinetic changes with x reveal some information on double-layer and ligand effects.     

Polarographic analytical determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), As(III), Sb(III), Ti(IV) and U(VI) in the presence of Fe(III)

The analytical determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), As(III), Sb(III), Ti(IV) and U(VI) in the presence of Fe(III) and 1 M H₂SO₄ are investigated using the polarographic technique. The wave corresponding to the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) was found to be completely suppressed by the addition of 1% pyrogallol. Thus, different mixtures of these elements, viz. Hg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), As(III) and Fe(III)-mixture (A), Cu(II), Cd(II), Sb(III), As(III) and Fe(III)-mixture (B), and Cu(II), Cd(II), Ti(IV), U(VI) and Fe(III)-mixture (C), were quantitatively determined using 1% pyrogallol and 1 M H₂SO₄ as supporting electrolyte. The i₁/c results give excellent correlations in each case, as indicated from the results of leastsquares regression analysis.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel glyoxal, biacetyl and benzil bis-hydrazone macrocyclic Schiff bases and their Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

A series of binuclear Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized by the template condensation of glyoxal, biacetyl or benzil bis-hydrazide, 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and Co(II), Ni(II) or Cu(II) chloride in a 2:2:2 M ratio in ethanol. These 22-membered macrocyclic complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic, molar conductance, spectral, thermal and fluorescence studies. Elemental analyses suggest the complexes have a 2:1 stoichiometry of the type [M₂LX₂]·nH₂O and [Ni₂LX₂2H₂O]·nH₂O (where M = Co(II) and Cu(II); L = H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³; X = Cl; n = 2). From the spectroscopic and magnetic studies, it has been concluded that the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes display a five coordinated square pyramidal geometry and the Ni(II) complexes have a six coordinated octahedral geometry. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by the MIC method.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the Cu(I)/Cu(Hg) electrode reactions in DMSO solutions of halide ions

The electrode reaction Cu(I)/Cu(Hg) in complex chloride, bromide and iodide solutions with DMSO as solvent has been studied at the equilibrium potential by the faradiac impedance method and a cyclic current-step method. The kinetic data refer to the ionic strength 1 M with ammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte and to the temperature 25°C. Double-layer data have been obtained from electrocapillary measurements. From the results for the chloride system at [Cl^?]>15 mM it is concluded that the charge transfer is catalysed by ligand bridging at the amalgam and the following parallel reactions predominate: Cl_ads^?-Cu⁺+e^?(am)Cl_ads^?+Cu(am) Cl_ads^?-Cu₂Cl_j^2?j+e^?(am)Cl_ads^?+Cu(am)+CuCl_j^1?j At lower [Cl^?] and in the whole ligand concentration range available in the bromide and iodide systems the impedance measurements indicate a rate-controlling adsorption step. It is suggested that uncharged complex CuL (L^?=halide ion) then forms an adsorbed two-dimensional network on the amalgam surface.     

0-aminophenol and 8-hydroxyquinoline as ligands of Cu(II) in 1M-Na(ClO4) at 25°C

The complex formation between Cu(II) and 8-hydroxyquinolinat (Ox) was studied with the liquid-liquid distribution method, between 1M-Na(ClO₄) and CHCl₃ at 25°C. The experimental data were explained by the equilibria: $$\begin{gathered} \operatorname{Cu} ^{2 + } + Ox \rightleftharpoons \operatorname{Cu} Ox \log \beta _1 = 12.38 \pm 0.13 \hfill \\ \operatorname{Cu} ^{2 + } + 2 Ox \rightleftharpoons \operatorname{Cu} Ox_2 \log \beta _2 = 23.80 \pm 0.10 \hfill \\ \operatorname{Cu} Ox_{2aq} \rightleftharpoons \operatorname{Cu} Ox_{2\operatorname{org} } \log \lambda = 2.06 \pm 0.08 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ The equilibria between Cu(II) and o-aminophenolate (AF) were studied potentiometrically with a glass electrode at 25°C and in 1M-Na(ClO₄). The experimental data were explained by the equilibria: $$\begin{gathered} \operatorname{Cu} ^{2 + } + AF \rightleftharpoons \operatorname{Cu} AF \log \beta _1 = 8.08 \pm 0.08 \hfill \\ \operatorname{Cu} ^{2 + } + 2AF \rightleftharpoons \operatorname{Cu} AF_2 \log \beta _2 = 14.60 \pm 0.06 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ The protonation constants ofAF and the distribution constants between CHCl₃?H₂O and (C₂H₅)₂O?H₂O were also determined.     

A kinetic study of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) system in Cl− media at the glassy carbon electrode

Summary Values are reported for the rate constant of the Cu(II)+e Cu(I) reaction at a glassy carbon electrode when the rotating disk technique is used. This redox system has been studied in slightly acidified 0.5M potassium chloride. The oxidation of Cu(I) in 0.5M KCl+0.1M HCl was also examined. The kinetic parameters point to a quasi-reversible process. From the limiting currents diffusion coefficients of the species in solution were evaluated.

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Kinetische Untersuchung des Systems Cu(II)/Cu(I) in Cl^–-Medium

Zusammenfassung Die rotierende Scheibenelektrode wurde angewendet für die Untersuchung der Kinetik des Vorgangs Cu(II)+e Cu(I) in 0.5M Kaliumchlorid (pH4). Auch die Oxydation von Kupfer(I) in 0,5M KCl+0,1M HCl wurde untersucht. Dabei wurde festgestellt, daß die heterogenen Durchtrittsreaktionen quasi-reversibel verlaufen. Aus den Grenzströmen wurden die Diffusionskoeffizienten der Kupferionen bestimmt.

     

Surface characterization of Pt electrodes using underpotential deposition of H and Cu: Part I. Pt(100)

This paper is the first in a series describing the in situ surface characterization of platinum electrodes using H and Cu deposited at underpotentials. The surface of a Pt(100) electrode pretreated by simple flame annealing and quenching in aqueous sulfuric acid is shown to contain a high concentration of defects such as vacancies and self-adsorbed Pt atoms. Adsorbed hydrogen is more strongly bound at these defects than on a uniform Pt(100) surface. Potential cycling in 1 M HCl produces a higher concentration of defects, while oxide formation and reduction in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ has the opposite effect. The nature of (100)-like sites at a polycrystalline platinum electrode is also discussed.     

Single-ion activities and Mn(Hg)/Mn(II) reactions in aqueous solutions of alkaline-earth chlorides

Combined thermodynamic and kinetic studies have yielded convenient single-ion activity coefficients for manganese(II), alkaline-earth, and chloride ions and standard exchange currents for the two steps of the Mn(Hg)/Mn(II) electrode in 0.005 M MnCl₂+0.495 M MeCl₂ (for Me=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Mn) at 25°C. The results indicate that the fall in mean ionic activity coefficient for the alkaline-earth chlorides along the sequence from magnesium to barium is carried to a larger extent by the cation than by the anion, that also the activity coefficient for the minority cation Mn(II) falls along this sequence, and that other than activity-coefficient effects on the Mn(Hg)/Mn(II) reactions appear only with barium ions, which retard the reactions additionally. The results are discussed with emphasis on ionic interactions and double-layer effects.     

The mechanism of ascorbic acid oxidation by Cu(II)-poly-4-vinylpyridine complexes

The mechanism of ascorbic acid (DH₂) oxidation with molecular oxygen catalysed by the polynuclear complex of Cu²⁺ with poly-4-vinylpyridine (PVP), partially quaternized by dimethylsulphate, has been studied. The half-conversion time of the reaction of DH₂ with Cu(II) PVP under anaerobic conditions is independent of [Cu²⁺]. At pH 3.5, t_0.5 (sec) = 0.8 + 5 × 10^?4 [DH₂]. The formation of an intermediate cupric-ascorbate complex is suggested (K_c ≈ 10⁴ M^?1). Free radicals of ascorbic acid are detected by the ESR-method combined with a flow technique. The small steady-state concentration of radicals indicates that their decay occurs inside the macromolecular complex. The rate constant of the PVP Cu(II) DH^? ternary complex dissociation is ≈0.4 sec^?1 (pH 3.5). The reaction of Cu(I) PVP with O₂ is not accompanied by formation of O₂^? outside the macromolecule bulk. The rate constant of this reaction is 1.3 ± 0.15) × 10² M^?1 sec^?1 (pH 3.5). The cyclic mechanism of the catalytic reaction is suggested to include interchange of the redox state of copper-ions. About $\text{2}\text{3}$ of the total copper ion exists in the form Cu(I) PVP during the reaction at pH 3.5. The rate of DH₂ oxidation under these conditions is limited by the rate of Cu(I) PVP reaction with O₂. At pH 4.5 the overall reaction rate is limited by the rate of interaction of Cu(II) PVP with DH^?.     

Kinetics of Zn/Zn(II) reactions in acidified solutions of potassium chloride

The title subject has been studied using stationary, single-pulse, and chronopotentiometric polarization measurements on the Zn/Zn(II) electrode and equilibrium measurements on the same and the Ag/AgCl electrode in 0.5–4 M chloride solutions at 25°C. The Zn/Zn(II) electrode reactions are found to occur in two consecutive charge-transfer steps with Zn(I) as intermediate. The ion-transfer step Zn/Zn(I) is too fast to exhibit its kinetics. The electron-transfer step Zn(I)/Zn(II) mostly occurs by the couple ZnCl₂(H₂O)_y/ZnCl₂(H₂O)_y, but species with one or no chloride ligand take over as the main electroactive ones at chloride (or salt) concentrations below 1 M. The value of y is not clearly revealed by the data. Some sluggishness in complex equilibration and some, double-layer effects are observed. A convenient scale for single-ion activities is described, used, and recommended.     

Binary and ternary complexes of Cu(II) ions with saccharin and cysteine

The square-wave voltammetric behaviour of cysteine and saccharin was studied at a static mercury drop electrode at pH 7.4 in the presence of Cu(II) ions. In the presence of excess Cu(II), cysteine exhibited three reduction peaks for Hg(SR)₂ (−0.086 V), free Cu(II) (−0.190 V) and Cu(I)SR (−0.698 V), respectively. Saccharin produced a catalytic hydrogen peak at −1.762 V. In the presence of Cu(II), saccharin gave a new peak (−0.508 V), corresponding to the reduction of Cu(II)–saccharinate, which in the presence of cysteine formed a mixed ligand complex (−0.612 V), CuL₂A₂ (L=saccharin and A=cysteine). The peak potentials and currents of the obtained complexes were dependent on the ligand concentration and accumulation time. The stoichiometries and overall stability constants of these complexes were determined by Lingane's method (voltammetrically) and Job’s method (spectrophotometrically). The mixed ligand complex in the molar ratio 1:2:2 (log β=33.35) turned out to be very much stronger than the 1:1 Cu(I)SR (log β=21.64) and 1:2 Cu(II)–saccharinate (log β=16.68) complexes. Formation of a mixed ligand complex can be considered as a type of synergism.     

On the relationship between the structures of Cu(II) complexes and their chemical transformations

The experimental activation energies (E ^*) of dehydration of Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)SO₄, Cu(en)₂(H₂O)X₂ (X=Cl^?, Br^?), Cu(en)(H₂O)₂SO₄, Cu(py)₂(H₂O)₂SO₄, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O and M ₂ ^I CuCl₄ · 2H₂O (M ^I =NH₄, K, Rb) were obtained from their non-isothermal thermogravimetric curves using the Coats-Redfern method. TheseE ^* values were compared with known data on the structures of the Cu(II) coordination polyhedra in the above complexes. No dependence of theE ^* values was found on either the central atom — released ligand bond length, or the number and lengths of the hydrogen bonds formed by the released water molecules. However, it was found that it is justified to seek some relationship between theE ^* values and the anisotropic temperature factors of the donor atoms of the ligands split off.     

Mechanism and kinetics of the electrochemical reduction of Cu(II) at gold in pyridine and water-pyridine mixtures

Summary The cathodic reduction of Cu(II) ions at a gold electrode has been studied in waterpyridine mixtures containing NaClO₄ as background electrolyte by means of rotating disc (RDE) and ring-disc electrode voltammetry (RRDE), coulometry, and potentiometry. The voltammetric curves obtained at the RDE split into two waves of nearly the same height which correspond to two successive reactions: Cu(II) + e^– Cu(I) and Cu(I) + e^– Cu. The diffusion coefficients of Cu(II) as well as the formal potentials and kinetic parameters of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) electrode reaction were evaluated and are discussed. In addition, some experiments with an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) were performed in order to explain the pyridine adsorption on polycrystalline gold.

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Mechanismus und Kinetik der elektrochemischen Reduktion von Cu(II)-Ionen an einer Goldelektrode in Wasser-Pyridin-Mischungen

Zusammenfassung Die kathodische Reduktion von Cu(II)-Ionen an Gold in Wasser-Pyridin-Mischungen mit NaClO₄ als Grundelektrolyt wird mittels Voltammetrie an der rotierenden Scheiben- und Ring-Scheibenelektrode sowie mittels Coulometrie und Potentiometrie untersucht. Die erhaltenen Stromspannunskurven verteilen sich auf zwei Stufen, die den konsekutiven Durchtrittsreaktionen Cu(II) + e^– Cu(I) und Cu(I) + e^– Cu entsprechen. Die Diffusionskoeffizienten der Cu(II)-Ionen sowie die Formal-Standardpotentiale und die kinetischen Parameter der Cu(II)/Cu(I)-Durchtrittsreaktion wurden bestimmt und werden diskutiert. Zusätzliche Experimente zur Erklärung der Adsorption von Pyridin an polykristallinem Gold wurden mit Hilfe einer elektrochemischen Quarz-Mikrowaage durchgeführt.

     

The relationship between the structures of Cu(II) complexes and their chemical transformations

The thermal dehydration of the compounds M ₂ ^I [M^II(H₂O)₆](SeO₄)₂, where M^I=NH₄, K, Rb, Cs and Tl, and M=Cu and Ni, was studied in order to correlate the course of the decomposition with the known crystal structures. It was found that the stoichiometry of the reactions is the same as that established for the analogous sulphato compounds of Cu(II) and Ni(II), respectively. Because of the discrepancies between the room-temperature crystal structures and the observed decomposition stoichiometries, high-temperature powder diffractograms were taken. These indicated structural changes of the copper(II) compounds during heating. The powder patterns for different structure changes were calculated and compared with the experimental ones. It was shown that during the heating two axial CuH₂O bonds are shortened and two equatorial bonds are lengthened. The observed decomposition stoichiometry is compatible with the formation of four nearly equal Cu-H₂O bonds. The activation energies (E^*) and pre-exponential factors (log A) for the first dehydration reaction of the Cu(II) compounds display the following sequence of M^I: Tl > Rb > NH₄ > K, and they are the higher, the shorter the split equatorial Cu(II) bonds. For the compounds of Ni(II) the sequence of E^* and log A values is K > Tl > NH₄ > Rb > Cs.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Aufklärung des Zusammenhanges zwischen dem Zersetzungsweg und der bekannten Kristallstruktur wurde die thermische Dehydration der Verbindungen M ₂ ^I [M^II(H₂O)₆](SeO₄)₂ mit M^I=NH₄, K, Rb, Cs and Tl sowie mit m^II=Cu und Ni untersucht. Man fand für diese Reaktion die gleiche Stöchiometrie wie für die analogen Sulfatverbindungen von Cu(II) bzw. Ni(II). Wegen des Widerspruches zwischen der Kristallstruktur bei Raumtemperatur und der festgestellten Stöchiometrie der Zersetzungsreaktion wurden auch Pulverdiffraktionsaufnahmen bei höheren Temperaturen angefertigt. Bei Cu(II)-Verbindungen konnte während des Erhitzens eine Strukturänderung festgestellt werden. Für verschiedene Strukturänderungen wurden Pulveraufnahmen berechnet und mit den experimentellen verglichen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, da sich während des Erhitzens zwei axiale Cu-H₂O-Bindungen verkürzen und zwei äquatoriale Bindungen strecken. Die beobachtete Zersetzungsstöchiometrie entspricht der Bildung von vier anänhernd gleichen Cu-H₂O-Bindungen. Die Aktivierrungsenergie (E^*) und der präexponentielle Faktor (log A) und der ersten Dehydratationsreaktion der Cu(II)-Verbindungen sinken in folgender Reihenfolge für M^I:Tl, Rb, NH₄, K und sind umso größer, je kürzer die gespaltenen äquatorialen Cu(II)-Bindungen sind. Für Ni(II)-Verbindungen nehmen E^* und log A in folgenden Reichenfolge ab: K, Tl, NH₄, Rb, Cs.

     

Poly(propylene imine) dendrimer complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Co(III) as catalysts of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate

Poly(propylene imine) dendrimers having 8, 32, and 64 primary amine end groups form diamino Cu(II), diamino Zn(II), and tetramino Co(III) complexes that are identified spectrophotometrically and titrimetrically. The dendrimer–metal ion complexes catalyze the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate in zwitterionic buffer solutions at pH ≤ 8.1 with relative activities Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Co(III). The rates of hydrolysis are faster with sodium perchlorate than with sodium chloride to control ionic strength. In sodium perchlorate solutions with Cu(II) the rates increase with increasing size of the dendrimer. In sodium chloride solutions with Cu(II) the rates decrease with increasing size of the dendrimer. Rate constants in buffered sodium chloride solutions of dendrimers and 1.0mM Cu(II) are 1.3–6.3 times faster than in the absence of Cu(II). The fastest hydrolyses occurred at a dendrimer primary amine to Cu(II) ratio NH₂/Cu ≤ 2. At NH₂/Cu = 4 and with the 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodecane complex of Cu(II) hydrolysis rates were much slower. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2727–2736, 1999     

Novel complexes of Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ with N-(phosphonomethyl)aminosuccinic acid

Complexes of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ with N-(phosphonomethyl)aminosuccinic acid (H₄PMAS) of general formula Na₂MPMAS·nH₂O [M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), n—number of water molecules] were synthesized. Based on interpretation of diffusion reflectance spectroscopy, structure of all complexes is based on distorted octahedral. Analysis of IR spectra of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) N-(phosphonomethyl)aminosuccinates demonstrated that metal ions are coordinated to the ligand through nitrogen atom of the imino group, oxygen atoms of the α- and β-carboxyl groups as well as oxygen atom of the phosphonic group of the H₄PMAS. We demonstrated that thermal stability of complexes increases in sequence Cu(II) < Ni(II) < Co(II), obviously as a result of change over from the dimeric to polymeric character of the initial complex. Complete decomposition of ligand occurs at these temperatures and is accompanied by release of H₂O, CO₂, and NO₂. The final products of thermal decomposition of the complexes are mixtures of oxides and phosphates of respective metals.     

Synthesis,structural, spectroscopic,biological and catalytic activity of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of benzilic hydrazide (BH)

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) chloro complexes of benzilic hydrazide (BH) have been synthesized. Also, reaction of the ligand (BH) with several copper(II) salts, including NO₃ ^?, AcO^?, and SO₄ ^? afforded metal complexes of the general formula [CuLX(H₂O) _n ]·nH₂O, where X is the anion and n = 0, 1 or 2. The newly synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, molar conductance, UV–vis, IR spectra, magnetic moment, and thermal analysis (TG/DTG). The physico-chemical studies support that the ligand acts as monobasic bidentate towards metal ion through the carbonyl and hydroxyl oxygen atoms. The spectral data revealed that the geometrical structure of the complexes is square planar for Cu (II) complexes and tetrahedral for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes. Structural parameters of the ligand and its complexes have been calculated. The ligand and its metal complexes are screened for their antimicrobial activity. The catalytic activities of the metal chelates have been studied towards the oxidative decolorization of AB25, IC and AB92 dyes using H₂O₂. The catalytic activity is strongly dependent on the type of the metal ion and the anion of Cu(II) complexes.     

Composition, stability, and structure of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes with adipic acid dihydrazide in aqueous and aqueous-ethanol solutions

Solvation and complexation of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) with adipic acid dihydrazide (L) in aqueous and aqueous-ethanol solutions (ethanol mole fraction 0.07–0.68) were studied by spectrophotometry. The formation constants of the species M(LH)³⁺, ML²⁺, M₂L⁴⁺ (μ = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺), and also M₂L ₂ ⁴⁺ and ML ₂ ²⁺ (μ = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺) were determined. With Cu(II), the complexes Cu(LH) ₂ ⁴⁺ , CuL(LH)³⁺, and Cu₂L(LH)⁵⁺ were also detected and characterized. Evidence is given for the hydrazide coordination mode: tridentate in ML²⁺, bidentate in M(LH)³⁺ and ML ₂ ²⁺ , and tetradentate in M₂L⁴⁺ and M₂L ₂ ⁴⁺ . The ligand exchange reactions involving CuL²⁺, Cu(LH)³⁺, Cu(LH) ₂ ⁴⁺ , CuL(LH)³⁺, CuL ₂ ²⁺ , and Cu₂L(LH)⁵⁺ in aqueous solutions of Cu(II) were revealed and kinetically characterized by nuclear magnetic relaxation. The heretofore unknown rate constants of formation of these complexes were calculated from the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Factors controlling the rate constants of the complex formation and chemical exchange are discussed.     

Determination of electrochemical kinetic parameters by square-wave polarography: Polarographic reduction of Zn(II) in 1 M KCl,KBr, and KNCS solutions

A new method of determining electrochemical kinetic parameters by square-wave polarography was presented, in which the faradaic current at θ/2, θ being the half-period of superimposed square-wave voltage, was used for the analysis. The method gave the following kinetic parameters for the electrode reaction, Zn(II) + 2e(Hg), in aqueous solutions at 25° C: k_c^θ=0.0052 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.36 in 1 M KCl, k_c^θ=0.011 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.30 in 1 M KBr, and k_c^θ=0.020 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.52 in 1 M KNCS. Induced adsorption of Zn(II) on the dropping mercury electrode was suggested in solutions containing thiocyanate ions.     

On Mn(Hg)/Mn(II) equilibria and reactions in aqueous solution

The title subject has been studied through galvanostatic single-pulse and chronopotentiometric measurements on the Mn(Hg)/Mn(II) electrode and equilibrium measurements on the same and the Ag/AgCl electrode, all in x MMnCl₂+(0.5?x)M MgCl₂ solutions of pH 4.3–4.9 at 25°C. The Mn(Hg)/Mn(II) reactions are found to occur in two consecutive steps, an unsymmetric (α_c near 0.8) ion-transfer step Mn(Hg)/Mn(I) and an essentially symmetric (α_c near 0.5) electron-transfer step Mn(I)/Mn(II). Besides charge transfer, no sluggishness other than diffusion is observed, but the dispersed precipitate Mn₂Hg₅ of saturated amalgam serves as an ageing-dependent source of anodic reactant Mn(Hg). Quantitative kinetic and thermodynamic data are presented and discussed. Comparisons are made to corresponding reactions for the succeeding elements iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc.