Reaction of nitric oxide with cobalt(II) ammine complexes and other reducing agents

Abstract

Nitric oxide reacts with the “cobalt pentammine nitrosyl” ion, [Co^III(NH₃)₅(NO^–)]²⁺, to give an intermediate, [Co(NH₃)₅(N₂O₂^–)]²⁺, which may react further with nitric oxide to give the hydroxopentamminecobalt(III) ion, nitrite, and nitrous oxide, or with excess of cobalt(II) to give decammine-µ-hyponitrodicobalt(III) salts. Chemical and spectroscopic evidence indicate a cis or skew configuration for the hyponitrite ligand. The reactions of nitric oxide with reducing agents are reviewed.