Kinetics of the photoaquation of Hexacyanoferrate(II) ion

Kinetics of the photoaquation of hexacyanoferrate(II) ion in aqueous solution were studied potentiometrically and spectrophotometrically. Supposing the simplest mechanism (see Fig. 3. in text), the photoaquation in alkaline medium can be well described. The value of the constants at pH = ll.0 are: ø = 0.8-1.0, k₆ = (3.0 ± 0.5) × 10^?8 s^?1 and k_?6 = 1.5 ± 0.2 mol^?1 dm₃ s^?1. To describe the photoaquation in neutral medium t was extended (k′ = 3.33 x 10² mol^?1 dm³s^?1). The quantum yield in acidic medium can be calculated by combination of ø values of different protonated complexes. The reversibility of photoaquation in alkaline medium is also explained by the scheme.