Abstract
The kinetics of a fast leuco-Methylene Blue (LMB) re-oxidation to Methylene Blue (MB) by copper(II)-halide (Cl-, Br-) complexes in acidic aqueous media has been studied spectrophotometrically using a stopped-flow technique. The reaction follows a simple first order rate expression under an excess of the copper(II) species (and H+(aq)), and the pseudo-first order rate constant (k'(obs)) is largely independent of the atmosphere used (air, oxygen, argon). The rate law, at constant Cl- (Br-) anion concentration, is given by the expression: (d[MB+])/dt = ((k(a)K[H+] + k(b))/(1 + K[H+])).[Cu-II][LMB] = k'(obs)[LMB], where K is the protonation constant, and k(a) and k(b) are the pseudo-second order rate constants for protonated and deprotonated forms of LMB, respectively The rate law was determined based on the observed k'(obs) vs. [Cu-II] and [H+] dependences. The rate dramatically increases with [Cl-] over the range: 0.1-1.5 M, reflecting the following reactivity order: Cu2+(aq) << CuCl+(aq) <...< CuCl42-. The slow re-oxidation of LMB by oxygen has also been briefly examined at different [H+]. ESR results provide clear evidence for the formation of an intermediate radical. The mechanistic consequences of all these results are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 348-353 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Dalton Transactions |
Volume | 2003 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2003 |
Keywords
- LEUCOMETHYLENE BLUE
- ASCORBIC-ACID
- EQUILIBRIUM
- SYSTEM