Kinetics of the reduction of tetrakis (2,2′-bipyridine)-μ-oxo-di-iron(III) by 1,3-benzenediol in aqueous acidic medium

The stoichiometry and kinetics of the reduction of Fe 2 (III)(bpy) 4 OCl 4 by 1,3-benzenediol have been investigated in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium. The reaction is first order in [oxidant] but zero order in [reductant]. There is no evidence for the formation of an intermediate complex of significant stability. The presence of NO 3 − or ClO 4 − had no effect on the rate of the reaction. Also, the reaction rate is not affected by the changes in the ionic strength and dielectric constant of the reaction media. A plausible mechanism involving an outer-sphere complex formed via an ion pair is proposed for the reaction.