The mercury(II)-induced aquation of trans-Chloroamminebis(dimethylglyoximato)cobalt(III) complex

Abstract

The pseudo first-order rate constants for the mercury(II)-induced aquation of trans-[Co(Hdmg)2(NH3)Cl] (Hdmg = dimethylglyoximate ion) have been measured in aqueous and aqueous ethanol solutions (ethanol- water mole ratio 1 : 5.1) containing various excess amounts of mercury(II)ion at 273.2 K. Association constants of the complex formed with mercury(II) ion and rate constants for dissociation of the activated complex in both solutions have been calculated. The kinetic results are discussed in terms of formation of an activated complex Co-C1-Hg, followed by a simple rate-determining aquation in which HgCl+ acts as the leaving group.