A pulse radiolysis study of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with trans-dihydroxo(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)chromium(3)

Hydroxyl radicals react rapidly with the title chromium(III) complex. In weakly alkaline solution, around pH≅ the product rearranges by a first-order process followed by a second-order process. This sequence is interpreted as the formation of a chromium(IV) complex which then forms a μ-peroxochromium(III) dimer. The dimer decomposes by a two-electron oxidation of the macrocyclic ligan with the concomitant formation of a double bond. In more strongly basic solution and also in dilute acid, the decay kinetics are more complicated. Supplementary measurements using trans-difluoro(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)Chromium(III), which does not contain coordinated hydroxide, and cis-dihydroxo(rac-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)-chromium(III), for which dimerization is sterically hindered, support the above interpretation of the consecutive reactions for the title complex. (author)