Complete Racemization in the Base Hydrolysis of Optically Active mer-[Chloro(diethylene triamine) (1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol-N,N′) cobalt (III)]tetrachlorozincate

The base hydrolysis of the optically active title compound proceeds with full racemization whilst the meridional arrangement of the diethylenetriamine ligand is fully retained. The optically active hydroxo complex prepared independently with retention of configuration racemizes ? 10⁴ times slower. This unique result is discussed in terms of the classical π-stabilization hypothesis for the base hydrolysis mechanism.