Persulphate quenching of the excited state of ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridyl dication: thermal reactions

The rate constant for the reaction between the sulphate radical (SO₄^√−) and the ruthenium (II) tris-bipyridyl dication (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺) is (3.3±0.2)×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ in 1 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄ and (4.9±0.5)×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ in 0.1 mol dm⁻³, pH 4.7 acetate buffer. The SO₄^√−radical produced by the electron transfer quenching of Ru(bipy)₃^2+* by S₂O₈²⁻ reacts rapidly with both acetate buffer and chloride ions. These side reactions result in a reduction in the overall quantum yield of Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ production and reduced reaction selectivity when Ru(bipy)₃^2+* is quenched by persulphate.