The oxidation of bis(bipyridyl)copper(I) ions by oxygen and by hydrogen peroxide
Abstract
The kinetics of the reactions of CuI(bipyridyl)2 with oxygen and hydrogen peroxide have been investigated using the stopped-flow technique. Both reactions are first-order in the copper(I) complex and in the oxidants. The specific rate constants measured are 6·5 × 103 and 8·5 × 102M–1 sec.–1 respectively. Hydrogen peroxide which is formed as an intermediate in the reduction of oxygen was shown, using oxygen-18 as tracer, to be formed without any incorporation of water oxygen.