Reactivity and Operational Stability of N‐Tailed TAMLs through Kinetic Studies of the Catalyzed Oxidation of Orange II by H2O2: Synthesis and X‐ray Structure of an N‐Phenyl TAML

The catalytic activity of the N‐tailed (“biuret”) TAML (tetraamido macrocyclic ligand) activators Fe{4‐XC₆H₃‐1,2‐( N COCMe₂ N CO)₂NR}Cl]^2? ( 3 ; N atoms in boldface are coordinated to the central iron atom; the same nomenclature is used in for compounds 1 and 2 below), X, R=H, Me ( a ); NO₂, Me ( b ); H, Ph ( c )] in the oxidative bleaching of Orange II dye by H₂O₂ in aqueous solution is mechanistically compared with the previously investigated activator Fe{4‐XC₆H₃‐1,2‐( N COCMe₂ N CO)₂CMe₂}OH₂]^? ( 1 ) and the more aggressive analogue Fe(Me₂C{CON(1,2‐C₆H₃‐4‐X) N CO}₂)OH₂]^? ( 2 ). Catalysis by 3 of the reaction between H₂O₂ and Orange II (S) occurs according to the rate law found generally for TAML activators (v=k_Ik_IIFe^III]S]H₂O₂]/(k_IH₂O₂]+k_IIS]) and the rate constants k_I and k_II at pH 7 both decrease within the series 3 b > 3 a > 3 c . The pH dependency of k_I and k_II was investigated for 3 a . As with all TAML activators studied to‐date, bell‐shaped profiles were found for both rate constants. For k_I, the maximal activity was found at pH 10.7 marking it as having similar reactivity to 1 a . For k_II, the broad bell pH profile exhibits a maximum at pH about 10.5. The condition k_I?k_II holds across the entire pH range studied. Activator 3 b exhibits pronounced activity in neutral to slightly basic aqueous solutions making it worthy of consideration on a technical performance basis for water treatment. The rate constants k_i for suicidal inactivation of the active forms of complexes 3 a – c were calculated using the general formula ln(S₀]/S_∞])=(k_II/k_i)Fe^III]; here Fe^III], S₀], and S_∞] are the total catalyst concentration and substrate concentration at time zero and infinity, respectively. The synthesis and X‐ray characterization of 3 c are also described.