Synthesis,thermodynamic properties and kinetics of the acid-catalyzed dissociation of nickel(II) diamido polyamino complexes

The ligands 1,10-N,N-bis(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazadecane (L₁) and 1,11-N,N-bis(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane (L₂) have been synthesized. The stability constants of Ni^II complexes of ligands L₁ and L₂ have been studied at 25 °C using pH titrations. The kinetics of general acid (HCl, 0.04–2.34 mol dm^–3) or buffer (DEPP or DESPEN, 0.05 mol dm^–3, pH 4.83–5.72)-catalyzed dissociation of these Ni^II complexes have been investigated at 25 °C using a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The ionic strength of solution was controlled at I = 2.34 mol dm^–3 (KCl + HCl) and I = 0.1 mol dm^–3 (KNO₃, buffer), respectively. The kinetic dissociation of Ni^II complexes catalyzed by HCl obeys the equilibrium k_obs = k_1d + k_2H[H⁺], whereas in buffer solution the observed rate constant k_obs = k_d + k_1H[H⁺]. At pH < 1.5, both the proton-assisted and direct protonation pathways contribute to the rates, whereas solvation is the dominant pathway at pH > 6. In the 4.8–5.7 pH range, the complexes dissociate mainly through a proton-assisted pathway.