SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE REACTIONS OF COORDINATION COMPLEXES

The effects of solvents on the rates and activation parameters of the solvolysis of halogenoamminecobalt(III) and related substrates have been highlighted. Both electrostatic and nonelectrostatic medium effects are important. The reactivity patterns are sensitive to the nature of the substrates and that of the cosolvents. Molecular recognition through hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions between substrates and cosolvent systems appear to control the thermodynamics of solvation and hence the kinetic pattern. Solvent structural effects on the activation energetics are also evident.