Studies on the kinetics and mechanism of redox decomposition of 1,2,6-trinitrotriamminecobalt(III) and 1,2,6-trinitrodiethylenetriaminecobalt(III) complexes in aqueous acid

Summary In aqueous acid media the title complexes undergo decomposition ultimately forming cobalt(II). Detailed analysis of the kinetic data reveals that the reactions proceed in two consecutive stages, the initial step being the faster one. Evidence has been presented that the initial faster step involves aquation releasing one NO ₂ ^– ligand and forming an aquodinitro complex, which subsequently undergoes a slower intramolecular redox decomposition into Co²⁺. Each step, on the other hand, has been found to consist of two concurrent paths,viz. spontaneous and acid catalysed, respectively. Activation parameters corresponding to all these specific rate constants have been evaluated and a plausible mechanism for the overall reaction has been proposed.On leave from Agra College, Agra, India.