Chromium(VI), chromium(V) and chromium(IV) oxidation of 12-tungstocobaltate(II)

The reaction between Cr^VI and 12-tungstocobaltate(II) was carried out in 2.0 mol dm^–3 HCl and followed a simple second order rate law. The reaction was catalysed by hydrogen ion due to the formation of active H₂CrO₄ and was inhibited by chloride ion as, in its presence, conversion of the active species into inactive chlorochromate occurs. Chromium(V) and chromium(IV) were generated in situ by the use of Cr^VI—V^IV or Cr^VI—2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid and Cr^VI—i-PrOH reactions respectively, and the oxidation of 12-tungstocobaltate(II) by these atypical oxidation states, was also studied. The rate constants for the oxidation of 12-tungstocobaltate(II) by Cr^VI, Cr^V and Cr^IV were found to be in the ratio 1:1.2:5.2 respectively. The ionic strength did not affect the reaction, while decrease in the solvent polarity increased the rate of the reaction. The activation parameters were also determined and the values H , G and S were found to be 52.4 ± 6 kJ mol^–1, 100.8 ± 7 kJ mol^–1, –151.7 ± 10 J K^–1 mol^–1 respectively, supporting the mechanism proposed.