The tris(picolinate)vanadate(II) ion: Redox properties and electron transfer kinetics with cobalt(III) amines

Vanadium(II) ions form with the pyridine-2-carboxylate ligand a deep blue, tris-substituted complex absorbing at 660 nm (ε = 7.2 × 10³ M^?1) cm^?1) with a shoulder at 450 nm. Reversible spectroelectrochemistry and cyclic voltammetry were observed for this complex, with E_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} = ?0.448 V vs NHE, and ΔS_rc^θ = ?6 cal · mol^?1 · deg^?1. Electron transfer kinetics with [CO(en)₃]³⁺ led to k₁₂ = 3100 M^?1 s^?, ΔH^≠ = 12.4 kcal · mol^?1 and ΔS^≠ = ?0.9 cal · mol^?1 · deg^?1 (I = 0.10 M). For the related [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ complex, k₁₃ = 1.9 × 10⁴ M^?1 s^?1. The self-exchange rate constant and activation parameters were analysed in terms of relative Marcus theory.