Pulse radiolysis studies on the OH-induced oxidation of thiolatometal complexes

Pulse radiolysis of an N2O-saturated solution of (mercaptoacetato-O,S) bis (ethylenediamine) chromium(III) perchlorate using the streak-camera method shown two intense transient absorption bands centered at 345 and 410 nm. The absorption bands are due to the oxidation of the compound by OH radicals, the absorption at 345 nm being due to attack at the S atom and the one at 410 nm being due to reaction at the α-carbon atom. The results differ from those obtained by the use of strong chemical one-electron oxidants such as neptunium(VI) and cerium(IV). An explanation is offered for the difference