Kinetics and mechanisms of formation, and of reactions, of intermediates in the iron(II)–1,10-phenanthroline–cyanide and related systems

Abstract

Rate laws and rate constants are reported for the two stages of the reactions of [Fe(L–L)₂(CN)₂](L–L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, or 2,2′-bipyridyl) with cyanide ion in aqueous solution. The preparation of [Fe(5NO₂-phen·CN)₂(5NO₂-phen)], an intermediate in the reaction of [Fe(5NO₂-phen)₃]²⁺ with cyanide to give [Fe(5NO₂-phen)₂(CN)₂], is described, and the kinetics and mechanisms of some of its reactions, especially with hydroxide and with cyanide, are reported and discussed.