Reaction of nitrogen monoxide with a macrocyclic superoxorhodium(III) complex produces an observable nitratorhodium intermediate

The rapid (k > or = 10(6) M(-1) s(-1)) reaction between NO and L(2)(H(2)O)RhOO(2+) (L(2) = meso-Me(6)-[14]ane-N(4)) generates two strongly oxidizing, scavengeable intermediates, believed to be NO(2) and L(2)(H(2)O)RhO(2+). A mechanism is proposed whereby a peroxynitrito complex L(2)(H(2)O)RhOONO(2+) is formed first. The homolysis of O-O bond produces NO(2) and L(2)(H(2)O)RhO(2+) which were trapped with ABTS(2)(-) and Ni([14]aneN(4))(2+). In the absence of scavengers, the decomposition of L(2)(H(2)O)RhOONO(2+) produces both free NO(3)(-) and a rhodium nitrato complex L(2)(H(2)O)RhONO(2)(2+), which releases NO(3)(-) in an inverse acid-dependent process. The total yield of L(2)(H(2)O)RhONO(2)(2+) is 70%. In a minor, parallel path, NO and L(2)(H(2)O)RhOO(2+) react to give nitrite and the hydroperoxo complex L(2)(H(2)O)RhOOH(2+).