Complex Formation and Ligand-Exchange Reactions

Complex formation reactions in aqueous solution are described by the equilibria of the type  

One particular and rather complicated exchange reaction, which has been studied theoretically [76,77,169] and experimentally [170] is the oxygen exchange between the water solvent and the uranyl ion. 

This reaction is normally very slow in the ground state. Several mechanisms have been explored using quantum chemical methods. At low pH, the reaction pathway involves a binuclear (U02)2(m - complex [76], as proposed by Szabd and Grenthe [170]. At 

5 Calculations of Standard Reduction Potential and Studies of Redox Chemical Processes 

Upon reduction a metal complex gains one electron to convert into its reduced form. 

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