Investigations of the Kinetics and Mechanism of Reduction of a Carboplatin Pt(IV) Prodrug by the Major Small-Molecule Reductants in Human Plasma.

The development of Pt(IV) anticancer prodrugs to overcome the detrimental side effects of Pt(II)-based anticancer drugs is of current interest. The kinetics and reaction mechanisms of the reductive activation of the carboplatin Pt(IV) prodrug cis,trans-[Pt(cbdca)(NH3)2Cl2] (cbdca = cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate) by the major small-molecule reductants in human plasma were analyzed in this work. The reductants included ascorbate (Asc), the thiol-containing molecules L-cysteine (Cys), DL-homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH), and the dipeptide Cys-Gly. Overall second-order kinetics were established in all cases. At the physiological pH of 7.4, the observed second-order rate constants k' followed the order Asc << Cys-Gly ~ Hcy < GSH < Cys. This reactivity order together with the abundances of the reductants in human plasma indicated Cys as the major small-molecule reductant in vivo, followed by GSH and ascorbate, whereas Hcy is much less important. In the cases of Cys and GSH, detailed reaction mechanisms and the reactivity of the various protolytic species at physiological pH were derived. The rate constants of the rate-determining steps were evaluated, allowing the construction of reactivity-versus-pH distribution diagrams for Cys and GSH. The diagrams unraveled that species III of Cys (-SCH2CH(NH3+)COO-) and species IV of GSH (-OOCCH(NH3+)CH2CH2CONHCH(CH2S-)- CONHCH2COO-) were exclusively dominant in the reduction process. These two species are anticipated to be of pivotal importance in the reduction of other types of Pt(IV) prodrugs as well.

Reduction of ormaplatin by an extended series of thiols unravels a remarkable correlation.

Ormaplatin ([Pt(dach)Cl4]) represents one of the three primary structural prototypes of Pt(iv) anticancer-active prodrugs. The reduction of ormaplatin by an extended series of thiols has been studied kinetically in a broad pH range. A novel and remarkable correlation between log kRS- and the thiol dissociation constants pKRSH is disclosed: log kRS- = (0.50 ± 0.02)pKRSH + (0.68 ± 0.13), where kRS- denotes the second-order rate constant of each thiolate towards the reduction of ormaplatin.

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of the anti-tubercular prodrug isoniazid and its analog by iridium(iv) as models for biological redox systems.

A complex reaction mechanism of oxidation of the anti-tubercular prodrug isoniazid (isonicotinic hydrazide, INH) by [IrCl6]2- as a model for redox processes of such drugs in biological systems has been studied in aqueous solution as a function of pH between 0 and 8.5. Similar experiments have been performed with its isomer nicotinic hydrazide (NH). All reactions are overall second-order, first-order in [IrCl6]2- and hydrazide, and the observed second-order rate constants k' have been determined as a function of pH. Spectrophotometric titrations indicate a stoichiometry of [Ir(iv)] : [hydrazide] = 4 : 1. HPLC analysis shows that the oxidation product of INH is isonicotinic acid. The derived reaction mechanism, based on rate law, time-resolved spectra and stoichiometry, involves parallel attacks by [IrCl6]2- on all four protolytic species of INH and NH as rate-determining steps, depending on pH. These steps are proposed to generate two types of hydrazyl free radicals. These radicals react further in three rapid consecutive processes, leading to the final oxidation products. Rate constants for the rate-determining steps have been determined for all protolytic species I-IV of INH and NH. They are used to calculate reactivity-pH diagrams. These diagrams demonstrate that for both systems, species IV is ca. 105 times more reactive in the redox process than the predominant species III at the physiological pH of 7.4. Thus, species IV will be the main reactant, in spite of the fact that its concentration at this pH is extremely low, a fact that has not been considered in previous work. The results indicate that pH changes might be an important factor in the activation process of INH in biological systems also, and that in such systems this process most likely is more complicated than previously assumed.

Reactivity of the glutathione species towards the reduction of ormaplatin (or tetraplatin).

The reduction of ormaplatin (tetraplatin), a prototype for Pt(IV) anticancer prodrugs, by glutathione (GSH) was kinetically characterized over a wide pH range at 25.0°C and 1.0M ionic strength. The reduction follows overall second-order kinetics, giving rise to the oxidized glutathione as the oxidation product, which was identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The reaction mechanism put forward involves parallel attacks by all the GSH species on the Pt(IV) prodrug as rate-determining steps. All rate constants for the rate-determining steps have been derived for the first time, enabling the construction of the reactivity of GSH species versus their pH distribution diagram. The diagram clearly displays that only one out of the five GSH species is the mainly responsible for the reduction of ormaplatin at the physiological pH of 7.4.

Thermodynamics for complex formation between palladium(ii) and oxalate.

Complex formation between [Pd(H2O)4](2+) and oxalate (ox = C2O4(2-)) has been studied spectrophoto-metrically in aqueous solution at variable temperature, ionic strength and pH. Thermodynamic parameters at 298.2 K and 1.00 mol dm(-3) HClO4 ionic medium for the complex formation [Pd(H2O)4](2+) + H2ox ⇄ [Pd(H2O)2(ox)] + 2H3O(+) with equilibrium constant K1,H (in mol dm(-3)) are log10K1,H = 3.38 ± 0.08, ΔH = -33 ± 3 kJ mol(-1), and ΔS = -48 ± 11 J K(-1) mol(-1), as determined from spectrophotometric equilibrium titrations at 15.0, 20.0, 25.0 and 31.0 °C. Thermodynamic overall stability constants ß (in (mol dm(-3))(-n), n = 1,2) for [Pd(H2O)2(ox)] and [Pd(ox)2](2-) at zero ionic strength and 298.2 K, defined as the equilibrium constants for the reaction Pd(2+) + nox(2-) ⇄ [Pd(ox)n](2-2n) (water molecules omitted) are log10ß = 9.04 ± 0.06 and log10ß = 13.1 ± 0.3, respectively, calculated by use of Specific Ion Interaction Theory from spectrophotometric titrations with initial hydrogen ion concentrations of 1.00, 0.100 and 0.0100 mol dm(-3) and ionic strengths of 1.00, 2.00 or 3.00 mol dm(-3). The values derived together with literature data give estimated overall stability constants for Pd(ii) compounds such as [Pd(en)(ox)] and cis-[Pd(NH3)2Cl2], some of them analogs to Pt(ii) complexes used in cancer treatment. The palladium oxalato complexes are significantly more stable than palladium(ii) complexes with monodentate O-bonding ligands. A comparison between several different palladium complexes shows that different parameters contribute to the stability variations observed. These are discussed together with the so-called chelate effect.

Structures of polynuclear complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II) formed by slow hydrolysis in acidic aqueous solution.

The aqua ions of palladium(II) and platinum(II) undergo extremely slow hydrolysis in strongly acidic aqueous solution, resulting in polynuclear complexes. The size and structures of these species have been determined by EXAFS and small angle X-ray scattering, SAXS. For palladium(II), the EXAFS data show that the Pd-O and Pd···Pd distances are identical to those of crystalline palladium(II) oxide, but the intensities of the Pd···Pd distances in the Fourier transform at 3.04 and 3.42 Å are significantly lower compared to those of crystalline PdO. Furthermore, no Pd···Pd distances beyond 4 Å are observed. These observations strongly indicate that the polynuclear palladium(II) complexes are oxido- and hydroxido-bridged species with the same core structure as solid palladium(II) oxide. Based on the number of Pd···Pd distances, as derived from the EXAFS data, their size can be estimated to be approximately two unit cells, or ca. 1.0 nm(3). For platinum(II), EXAFS data of the polynuclear species formed in the slow hydrolysis process show Pt-O and Pt···Pt distances identical to those of amorphous platinum(II) oxide, precipitating from the solution studied. The Pt···Pt distances are somewhat different from those reported for crystalline platinum(II) oxide. The polynuclear platinum(II) complexes have a similar structure to the palladium ones, but they are somewhat larger, with an estimated diameter of 1.5-3.0 nm. It has not been possible to precipitate any of these species by ultracentrifugation. They are detectable by SAXS, indicating diameters between 0.7 and 2 nm, in excellent agreement with the EXAFS observations. The number of oxido- relative to hydroxido bridges will increase with increasing size of the complex. The charge of the complexes will remain about the same, +4, at growth, with approximate formulas [Pd10O4(OH)8(H2O)12](4+) and [Pt14O8(OH)8(H2O)12](4+) for complexes with a size of 2 and 3 unit cells of the corresponding solid metal oxide, respectively. Their high ionic charge in acidic aqueous solution will result in a stabilizing hydration shell.

Pseudo-rotation mechanism for fast olefin exchange and substitution processes at orthometalated C,N-complexes of platinum(II).

Bridge splitting in chloroform of the orthometalated chloro-bridged complex [Pt(micro-Cl)(2-Me(2)NCH(2)C(6)H(4))](2)(1), with ethene, cyclooctene, allyl alcohol and phosphine according to 1+ 2L --> 2[PtCl(2-Me(2)NCH(2)C(6)H(4))(L)], where L = C(2)H(4)(3a), C(8)H(14), (3b), CH(2)CHCH(2)OH (3c), and PPh(3)(4a and 4b) gives monomeric species with L coordinated trans or cis to aryl. With olefins the thermodynamically stable isomer with L coordinated cis to aryl is formed directly without an observable intermediate. With phosphine and pyridine, the kinetically controlled trans-product isomerizes slowly to the more stable cis-isomer. Bridge splitting by olefins is slow and first-order in 1 and L, with largely negative DeltaS(++). Substitution of ethene cis to aryl by cyclooctene and allyl alcohol to form 3b and 3c, and substitution of cot from 3b by allyl alcohol to form 3c are first order in olefin and complex, ca. six orders of magnitude faster than bridge cleavage due to a large decrease in DeltaH(++), and with largely negative DeltaS(++). Cyclooctene exchange at 3b is first-order with respect to free cyclooctene and platinum complex. All experimental data for olefin substitution and exchange are compatible with a concerted substitution/isomerization process via a turnstile twist pseudo-rotation in a short-lived labile five-coordinated intermediate, involving initial attack on the labile coordination position trans to the sigma-bonded aryl. Bridge-cleavage reactions of the analogous bridged complexes occur similarly, but are much slower because of their ground-state stabilization and steric hindrance.

Reaction Mechanism for Olefin Exchange at Chloro Ethene Complexes of Platinum(II).

Complex equilibria in methanol/chloroform/dichloromethane solutions containing Zeise's anion, [PtCl(3)(C(2)H(4))](-) (1), the solvento species, trans-[PtCl(2)(C(2)H(4))(MeOH)] (2), and the dinuclear complex, trans-[PtCl(2)(C(2)H(4))](2) (3), have been studied by UV-vis, (1)H, and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy, giving average values of K(Cl) = (1.6 +/- 0.2)10(3) M(-)(1) and K(S) = (0.16 +/- 0.02) M(-)(1) for the equilibrium constants between 2 and 1 and 3 and 2, respectively. The bridged complex 3 is completely split into monomeric solvento complexes 2 in methanol and in chloroform or dichloromethane solutions with [MeOH] > 0.5 M. Ethene exchange at the mononuclear complexes 1 and 2 was studied by (1)H NMR line-broadening experiments in methanol-d(4). Observed overall exchange rate constants decrease with an increase in free chloride concentration due to the displacement of the rapid equilibrium between 1 and 2 toward the more slowly exchanging parent chloro complex 1. Ethene exchange rate constants at 298 K for complexes 1 and 2 are k(ex1) = (2.1 +/- 0.1)10(3) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)and k(ex2) = (5.0 +/- 0.2)10(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), respectively, with corresponding activation parameters DeltaH(1)() = 19.1 +/- 0.3 kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS(1)() = -117 +/- 1 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1), DeltaH(2)() = 10.2 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-)(1), and DeltaS(2)() = -102 +/- 2 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1). The activation process is largely entropy controlled; the enthalpy contributions only amounting to approximately 30% of the free energy of activation. Ethene exchange takes place via associative attack by the entering olefin at the labile site trans to the coordinated ethene, which is either occupied by a chloride or a methanol molecule in the ground state. The intimate mechanism might involve a two-step process via trans-[PtCl(2)(C(2)H(4))(2)] in steady state or a concerted process via a pentacoordinated transition state with two ethene molecules bound to the platinum(II).

Iron-Manganese Redox Processes and Synergism in the Mechanism for Manganese-Catalyzed Autoxidation of Hydrogen Sulfite.

The mechanism for manganese-catalyzed aqueous autoxidation of hydrogen sulfite at pH 2.4 has been revised on the basis of previous comprehensive kinetic studies and thermodynamic data for iron-manganese redox processes and manganese(II) and -(III) protolysis equilibria. The catalytically active manganese species is concluded to be an oxo- (or hydroxo-) bridged mixed-valence complex of composition (OH)Mn(III)OMn(II)(aq) with a formation constant beta' of (3 +/- 1) x 10(4) M(-)(1) from kinetics or ca. 7 x 10(4) M(-)(1) from thermodynamics. It is formed via rapid reaction between Mn(H(2)O)(6)(2+) and hydrolyzed manganese(III) aqua hydroxo complexes, and it initiates the chain reaction via formation of a precursor complex with HSO(3)(-), within which fast bridged electron transfer from S(IV) to Mn(III) takes place, resulting in formation of chain propagating sulfite radicals, SO(3)(*)(-). The very high acidity of Mn(3+)(aq), indicating a strong bond Mn(III)-OH(2) in hydrolyzed manganese(III), makes an attack by HSO(3)(-) on substitution labile Mn(II) in the bridged complex more favorable than one directly on manganese(III). The synergistic effect observed in systems containing iron as well as manganese and the chain initiation by trace concentrations of iron(III) of ca. 5 x 10(-)(8) M can also be rationalized in terms of formation of this bridged mixed-valence dimanganese(II,III) complex. The presence of iron(III) in a Mn(II)/HSO(3)(-) system results in rapid establishment of an iron-manganese redox equilibrium, increasing the concentration of manganese(III) and of the catalytically active bridged complex. The bridged complex oxidizes HSO(3)(-) several orders of magnitude faster than does iron(III) itself. Comparison with some previous studies shows that the different experimental rate laws reported do not necessarily indicate different reaction mechanisms. Instead, they can be rationalized in terms of different rate-determining steps within the same complex chain reaction mechanism, depending on the experimental conditions used.

Kinetics and Mechanism for Formation of Olefin Complexes in the Reaction between Palladium(II) and Maleic Acid.

Complex formation between Pd(H(2)O)(4)(2+) and maleic acid (H(2)A) has been studied at 25 degrees C and 2.00 M ionic strength in acidic aqueous solution. Reaction takes place with 1:1 stoichiometry. The kinetics has been followed by use of stopped-flow spectrophotometry under pseudo-first-order conditions with maleic acid in excess. In the concentration ranges 0.01 C where, in addition, both steps contain contributions from parallel reactions. The amplitude of the first phase increases with increasing [H(2)A](tot) and with decreasing [H(+)]. Multiwavelength global analysis of the kinetic traces and the UV-vis spectral changes suggest that a monodentate oxygen-bonded hydrogen maleate complex, [Pd(H(2)O)(3)OOCCH=CHCOOH](+), B, with stability constant K(2) = 205 +/- 40 M(-)(1) is formed as an intermediate in this first step via two parallel reversible reactions in which Pd(H(2)O)(4)(2+) reacts with maleic acid and hydrogen maleate, respectively. In the following step, B --> C, slow intramolecular ring closure with a rate constant of 0.8 +/- 0.1 s(-)(1) at 25 degrees C gives the reaction product C, which is concluded to be a 4.5-membered olefin-carboxylato chelate complex on the basis of stoichiometry and UV-vis/NMR spectra. Parallel and irreversible attack by maleic acid and hydrogen maleate acting as olefins on the intermediate B also leads to formation of C. C is stable for at least 20 h for concentrations of

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Arylchlorobis(dialkyl sulfide)platinum(II) Complexes.

Complexes trans-[PtRCl(SR'(2))(2)], where R = Ph, mesityl, and p-anisyl and R' = Me or Et, have been synthesized and their crystal and molecular structures determined. Crystals of trans-[PtPhCl(SEt(2))(2)] (2) are triclinic (P&onemacr;) with a = 10.112(6) Å, b = 13.158(2) Å, c = 14.714(5) Å, alpha = 102.48(2) degrees, beta = 94.394(4) degrees, gamma = 90.22(3) degrees, and Z = 4. Crystals of trans-[Pt(mesityl)Cl(SMe(2))(2)] (4) are monoclinic (P2(1)/c) with a = 13.158(2) Å, b = 9.170(1) Å, c = 16.013(3) Å, beta = 120.93(2) degrees, and Z = 4, and crystals of [Pt(p-anisyl)Cl(SMe(2))(2)] (5) are monoclinic (P2(1)/n) with a = 9.879(4) Å, b = 8.128(2) Å, c = 19.460(5) Å, beta = 96.56(3) degrees, and Z = 4. All complexes are square-planar, featuring Pt-Cl distances between 2.40 and 2.42 Å, indicating a large ground-state trans influence of the aryl group. The coordination geometry is maintained in methanol and chloroform solution as shown by (1)H-NMR spectra. The kinetics of substitution of the labile chloride trans to aryl by various nucleophiles has been studied in methanol by variable-temperature and -pressure stopped-flow spectrophotometry. A two-term rate law with a well-developed solvolytic pathway is followed. Negative entropies and volumes of activation indicate an associative mode of activation in all cases, independent of steric blocking of the axial sites and a large Pt-Cl ground-state bond-weakening. Comparison of the reaction rates of the present series of complexes with their bis(phosphine) analogues and with related cyclometalated compounds shows that the triethylphosphine complexes are 2-3 orders of magnitude less reactive than the thioether complexes, which in turn are a factor 10-20 less reactive than the cyclometalated ones. This reactivity increase can be rationalized mainly in terms of a decrease in steric hindrance in the series. There seems to be no inherent differences with regard to trans labilizing ability of the aryl ligands in the various types of complexes, including the cyclometalated ones.

Protonolysis of Dialkyl- and Alkylarylplatinum(II) Complexes and Geometrical Isomerization of the Derived Monoorgano-Solvento Complexes: Clear-Cut Examples of Associative and Dissociative Pathways in Platinum(II) Chemistry.

Protonolysis of the complexes cis-[PtR(2)(PEt(3))(2)] (R = Me, Et, Pr(n)(), Bu(n)(), CH(2)C(Me)(3), CH(2)Si(Me)(3)) and cis-[Pt(R)(R')(PEt(3))(2)] (R = Ph, 2-MeC(6)H(4), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2); R' = Me) in methanol selectively cleaves one alkyl group, yielding cis-[Pt(R)(PEt(3))(2)(MeOH)](+) and alkanes. The reactions occur as single-stage conversions from the substrate to the product. There is no evidence by UV and by low-temperature (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy for the presence of significant amounts of Pt(II) or Pt(IV) intermediate species. Reactions are first order with respect to complex and proton concentrations and are strongly retarded by steric congestion at the Pt-C bond, varying from k(2) = (2.65 +/- 0.08) x 10(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for R = R' = Et to k(2) = 9.80 +/- 0.44 M(-)(1)s(-)(1) for R = R'= CH(2)Si(Me)(3). Low enthalpies of activation and largely negative volumes of activation are associated with the process. The mechanism involves a rate-determining proton transfer either to the metal-carbon sigma bond (S(E)2 mechanism) or to the metal center (S(E)(oxidative) mechanism), followed by fast extrusion of the alkane and simultaneous blocking of the vacant coordination site by the solvent to generate cis-[Pt(R)(PEt(3))(2)(MeOH)](+) species. The subsequent slower process, cis to trans isomerization of cis-[Pt(R)(PEt(3))(2)(MeOH)](+), is characterized by high values of enthalpies of activation, positive entropies of activation, and largely positive volumes of activation. The reaction is shown to proceed through the dissociative loss of the weakly bonded molecule of solvent and the interconversion of two geometrically distinct T-shaped 14-electron 3-coordinate intermediates. The presence of beta-hydrogens on the residual alkyl chain produces a great acceleration of the rate (R = Me, k(i) = 0.0026 s(-)(1); R = Et, k(i) = 44.9 s(-)(1)) as a consequence of the stabilization of the 3-coordinate [Pt(R)(PEt(3))(2)](+) transition state through an incipient agostic interaction. The results of this work, together with those of a previous paper, give a rationale of the "elusive" nature of these compounds. The following factors concur: (i) electron release by the phosphine ligands, (ii) steric repulsion and distortion of the square-planar configuration, and (iii) interaction of the metal with beta-hydrogens.

Equilibria, Kinetics, and Mechanism for Rapid Substitution Reactions Trans to Triphenylsilyl in Platinum(II) Complexes.

Fast substitution of chloride for bromide and iodide trans to triphenylsilyl in trans-PtCl(SiPh(3))(PMe(2)Ph)(2) has been studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry in acetonitrile solution. Substitution is reversible with an observable solvent path via the solvento complex trans-[Pt(SiPh(3))(MeCN)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)](+), which has also been synthesized and characterized in solution. Rate constants for the forward and reverse direct substitution pathways are 2900 +/- 100 and 7500 +/- 300 for bromide and 14300 +/- 1100 and 81000 +/- 11000 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for iodide as nucleophile. The solvento complex reacts ca. 10(3) times faster with iodide than the parent chloride complex, and its reactivity is some 2 orders of magnitude higher than the most reactive solvento species of platinum(II) studied so far. Halide substitution occurs with negative volumes and entropies of activation, but the nucleophilic discrimination is low, and the leaving ligand plays the most important role in the activation process, indicating an I(d) mechanism. Triphenylsilyl has a very high trans effect, comparable to that of ethene and methylisocyanide, due to extensive bond-weakening in the ground state, probably enforced by pi-acception in the transition state. Due to electronic and solvational effects the platinum(II) silyl moiety acts as a hard or borderline metal center in acetonitrile, the thermodynamic stability sequence of its halide complexes being Cl > Br > I, i.e. the reverse of what is usually observed for platinum(II) complexes.

Theoretical Modeling of Water Exchange on [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+), [Pt(H(2)O)(4)](2+), and trans-[PtCl(2)(H(2)O)(2)].

Density functional theory is applied to modeling the exchange in aqueous solution of H(2)O on [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+), [Pt(H(2)O)(4)](2+), and trans-[PtCl(2)(H(2)O)(2)]. Optimized structures for the starting molecules are reported together with trigonal bipyramidal (tbp) systems relevant to an associative mechanism. While a rigorous tbp geometry cannot by symmetry be the actual transition state, it appears that the energy differences between model tbp structures and the actual transition states are small. Ground state geometries calculated via the local density approximation (LDA) for [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and relativistically corrected LDA for the Pt complexes are in good agreement with available experimental data. Nonlocal gradient corrections to the LDA lead to relatively inferior structures. The computed structures for analogous Pd and Pt species are very similar. The equatorial M-OH(2) bonds of all the LDA-optimized tbp structures are predicted to expand by 0.25-0.30 Å, while the axial bonds change little relative to the planar precursors. This bond stretching in the transition state counteracts the decrease in partial molar volume caused by coordination of the entering water molecule and can explain qualitatively the small and closely similar volumes of activation observed. The relatively higher activation enthalpies of the Pt species can be traced to the relativistic correction of the total energies while the absolute DeltaH() values for exchange on [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and [Pt(H(2)O)(4)](2+) are reproduced using relativistically corrected LDA energies and a simple Born model for hydration. The validity of the latter is confirmed via some simple atomistic molecular mechanics estimates of the relative hydration enthalpies of [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and [Pd(H(2)O)(5)](2+). The computed DeltaH() values are 57, 92, and 103 kJ/mol compared to experimental values of 50(2), 90(2), and 100(2) kJ/mol for [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+), [Pt(H(2)O)(4)](2+), and trans-[PtCl(2)(H(2)O)(2)], respectively. The calculated activation enthalpy for a hypothetical dissociative water exchange at [Pd(H(2)O)(4)](2+) is 199 kJ/mol. A qualitative analysis of the modeling procedure, the relative hydration enthalpies, and the zero-point and finite temperature corrections yields an estimated uncertainty for the theoretical activation enthalpies of about 15 kJ/mol.

Competitive Substitution and Electron Transfer in Reactions between Haloamminegold(III) and Halocyanoaurate(III) Complexes and Thiocyanate.

Kinetics for reactions between thiocyanate and trans-Au(CN)(2)Cl(2)(-), trans-Au(CN)(2)Br(2)(-), and trans-Au(NH(3))(2)Cl(2)(+) in an acidic, 1.00 M perchlorate aqueous medium have been studied by use of conventional and diode-array UV/vis spectroscopy and high-pressure and sequential-mixing stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Initial, rapid formation of mixed halide-thiocyanate complexes of gold(III) is followed by slower reduction to Au(CN)(2)(-) and Au(NH(3))(2)(+), respectively. This is an intermolecular process, involving attack on the complex by outer-sphere thiocyanate. Second-order rate constants at 25.0 degrees C for reduction of trans-Au(CN)(2)XSCN(-) are (6.9 +/- 1.1) x 10(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for X = Cl and (3.1 +/- 0.7) x 10(3) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for X = Br. For reduction of trans-Au(CN)(2)(SCN)(2)(-) the second-order rate constant at 25.0 degrees C is (3.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) and the activation parameters are DeltaH() = (55 +/- 3) x 10(2) kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = (-17.8 +/- 0.8) J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1), and DeltaV() = (-4.6 +/- 0.5) cm(3) mol(-)(1). The activation volume for substitution of one chloride on trans-Au(NH(3))(2)Cl(2)(+) is (-4.5 +/- 0.5) cm(3) mol(-)(1), and that for reduction of trans-Au(NH(3))(2)(SCN)(2)(+) (4.6 +/- 0.9) cm(3) mol(-)(1). The presence of pi-back-bonding cyanide ligands stabilizes the transition states for both substitution and reductive elimination reactions compared to ammine. In particular, complexes trans-Au(CN)(2)XSCN(-) with an unsymmetric electron distribution along the X-Au-SCN axis are reduced rapidly. The observed entropies and volumes of activation reflect large differences in the transition states for the reductive elimination and substitution processes, respectively, the former being more loosely bound, more sensitive to solvational changes, and probably not involving any large changes in the inner coordination sphere. A transition state with an S-S interaction between attacking and coordinated thiocyanate is suggested for the reduction. The stability constants for formation of the very short-lived complex trans-Au(CN)(2)(SCN)(2)(-) from trans-Au(CN)(2)X(SCN)(-) (X = Cl, Br) by replacement of halide by thiocyanate prior to reduction can be calculated from the redox kinetics data to be K(Cl,2) = (3.8 +/- 0.8) x 10(4) and K(Br,2) = (1.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(2).