The kinetics and mechanism of aquation and base hydrolysis of the cis-[Co(cyclen)Cl2]+ cation (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)

The aquation of cis-Co(cyclen)Cl2]+ (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) has been studied over a range of temperatures with 0.1 mol dm–3 HNO3 as solvent. At 25°C, kaq=4.5×10–3 s–1 with H=78 kJ mol–1 and S298=–21 J K–1 mol–1. Base hydrolysis of cis-Co(cyclen)Cl2]+ is extremely rapid with kOH=2.1×107 dm3 mol–1 s–1 at 25°C and I=0.1 mol dm–3. This is the largest rate constant so far reported for the base hydrolysis of a cis-dichloro-complex of a saturated macrocycle. The activation parameters, H=53 kJ mol–1 and S298=73 J K–1 mol–1 are consistent with a mechanism in which deprotonation of the substrate is rate-determining. This conclusion is confirmed by the observation of general base catalysis by formate ion. The Brønsted value for the reaction is ca. 0.72 and SN1(CB) and E2 mechanisms are considered to account for the kinetic results. Base hydrolysis of cis-Co(cyclen)(OH)Cl]+ has also been studied in the pH range 6.5 to 8.7. The value of kOH=3.8×102 dm3 mol–1 s–1 at 25°C and I=0.1 mol dm–3 with H=110 kJ mol–1 and S298=171 J K–1 mol–1 are consistent with an SN1(CB) mechanism.