Electron Transfer Reactions—Structure, Properties and Reactivity of Tris(bidentate chelate)cobalt(II/III) Complexes

Both inner- and outer-sphere electron transfer mechanisms are investigated in a series of experiments. The chapter begins with the synthesis of four cobalt(III) coordination complexes followed by analysis and reactivity studies. Electronic structure is investigated using visible spectroscopy and the redox chemistry of two of the complexes is examined using cyclic voltammetry. After the reaction stoichiometry is determined and the electron transfer chemistry of the [Co(en)3]2+ - [Co(ox)2(en)]− couple is studied, a reaction mechanism is proposed and a rate law derived. In a culminating experiment students compare the experimental outer-sphere electron transfer rate constant to that calculated by Marcus Theory.