Initial state and transition state contributions to reactivity in mercury(II)-catalysed aquation of thetrans-[Rh(en)2Cl2]+, [Cr(NH3)5Cl]2+, andcis-[Cr(NH3)4(OH2)Cl]2+ cations in binary aqueous solvent mixtures

Summary Rate constants are reported for mercury(II)-catalysed aquation of thetrans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]⁺, [Cr(NH₃)₅Cl]²⁺, andcis-[Cr(NH₃)₄(OH₂)Cl]²⁺ cations in water and in methanol-, ethanol-, and acetonitrile-water solvent mixtures. In the case oftrans-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]⁺, the dependence of rate constants on mercury(II) concentration indicates reaction through a binuclear (Rh-Cl-Hg bridged) intermediate. The dependence of the equilibrium constant for the formation of this intermediate and of its rate constant for dissociation (loss of HgCl⁺) on solvent composition have been established. With the aid of measured solubilities, published ancillary thermodynamic data, and suitable extrathermodynamic assumptions, the observed reactivity trends for these mercury(II)-catalysed aquations are dissected into initial state and transition state components. The reactivity patterns for these three complexes are compared with those for mercury(II)-catalysed aquation of other chloro-transition metal complexes, particularlycis-[Rh(en)₂Cl₂]⁺, [Co(NH₃)₅Cl]²⁺, and [ReCl₆]^2–.