The reactivity of the coordinated mercapto group with various metal ions

The reactions of tris(2-mercaptoethylamine)cobalt(III), Col3, with cadmium(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) has resulted in the isolation of [Cd(CoL3)2]CdBr4,[Zn(CoL3)2]ZnBr4 and[Cu(CoL3)2]Br·2CuBr.These complexes have been characterized by chemical analyses, electronic and infrared spectra and conductivity measurements. The metal ions, Cd, Zn, Cu are believed to be coordinated by one CoL3 ligand and a bridging bromide. The reactions oftris(2-mercaptoethylamine)cobalt(III) with potential reducing metal ions such as Fe+2 or VO+2 and oxidizing metal ions such as Cr(H2O)+36, UO+42, andCe+4 has resulted in the isolation of salts of Co(CoL3)+32. Possible mechanisms which will result in the formation of the Co(CoL3)+32 cation are discussed.