Kinetics of the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide by bis(2,2′-bipyridine)-silver(II) ions

Abstract

The kinetics of the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide by [Ag(bipy)₂]²⁺ have been investigated in aqueous nitric acid. It is found that the principal reactive species of Ag^II is [Ag(bipy)]²⁺ which has been shown to exist in equilibrium with [Ag(bipy)₂]²⁺. There is no direct evidence that the reaction involves intermediate ternary complexes Ag^II(bipy) H₂O₂. The mechanism and the transition-state parameters are contrasted with those for the oxidation of H₂O₂ by aqua-cations and compared with those for the oxidation of H₂O₂ by other cations complexed by nitrogen-containing ligands, including some of biological significance.