Reaction of pentaammineaquarhodium(III) with carbonate in strongly basic solution: a multiple choice of potential interactions

Abstract

The reaction of pentaammineaquarhodium(III) with carbonate to produce pentaamminecabonatorhodium(III) was studied in strongly basic solution to ascertain whether under such conditions ligand substitution via metal–oxygen bond rupture is favoured over carbon dioxide uptake which leaves the metal–oxygen bond intact. The kinetic data are consistent with two opposing reaction paths, the rate constants of which exhibit pH dependencies which permit identification of the species interacting under the extreme conditions considered. The temperature and pressure dependencies of the rate constants facilitated disclosure of the intimate nature of the mechanism.