Heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants for M2(O2CR)4(0)/+, where M = Mo, W, Ru, or Rh and R = alkyl or aryl

By the use of Nicholson's method, the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants (ks) for the oxidation of a series of M2(O2CR)4 complexes have been determined in benzonitrile, where the metal M = Mo, W, Ru, or Rh and R = alkyl or aryl. For R = tBu, the values of ks follow the order M = Mo > W > Ru > Rh. No simple influence of R on ks was observed, although added ligands that are known to reversibly bind to the dinuclear center were shown to influence the E1/2 values in order of their basicity and to suppress the rate of electron transfer. The reported data are compared with those obtained for Cp2Fe0/+, Cp2*Fe0/+, and Ru(bpy)2(2)+/3+ and with earlier work on dirhenium multiply bonded compounds.