Vanadium complexes electron-transfer reactions

Vanadium(iv) Complexes.—Aqueous electron-transfer reactions involving V as a reductant have been reviewed. 

The complex [V(terpy)2]l2 may be isolated as a green air-sensitive solid from aqueous ethanolic solution (2S8). Taube and co-workers have investigated the electron-transfer reactions of [V(terpy)2], prepared by the direct interaction of terpy with aqueous vanadium(ll) solutions (49). 

In both cases, the cobalt containing product is the aqua complex because H2O is present in abundance, and high-spin d complexes of Co(II) are substitution labile. However, something that distinguishes the two pathways is the composition of the vanadium-containing product. If [V(N3)(OH2)s] is the product, then the reaction has proceeded via an inner-sphere pathway. If [V(OH2)6] " is the product, then the electron-transfer reaction is outer-sphere. The complex [V(N3)(OH2)5] is inert enough to be experimentally observed before the water molecule displaces the azide anion to give [V(OH2)6]. ... 

The rate of polymerization of polar monomers, for example, maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, or methyl methacrylate, can be enhanced by coraplexing them with a metal halide (zinc or vanadium chloride) or an organoaluminum halide (ethyl aluminum sesqui-chloride). These complexed monomers participate in a one-electron transfer reaction with either an uncomplexed monomer or another electron-donor monomer, for example, olefin, diene, or styrene, and thus form alternating copolymers (11) with free-radical initiators. An alternating styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer (12) has been prepared by free-radical initiation of equimolar mixtures of the monomers in the presence of nitrile-coraplexing agents such as aluminum alkyls. 

The experimental observations were interpreted by assuming that the redox cycle starts with the formation of a complex between the catalyst and the substrate. This species undergoes intramolecular two-electron transfer and produces vanadium(II) and the quinone form of adrenaline. The organic intermediate rearranges into leucoadrenochrome which is oxidized to the final product also in a two-electron redox step. The +2 oxidation state of vanadium is stabilized by complex formation with the substrate. Subsequent reactions include the autoxidation of the V(II) complex to the product as well as the formation of aVOV4+ intermediate which is reoxidized to V02+ by dioxygen. These reactions also produce H2O2. The model also takes into account the rapidly established equilibria between different vanadium-substrate complexes which react with 02 at different rates. The concentration and pH dependencies of the reaction rate provided evidence for the formation of a V(C-RH)3 complex in which the formal oxidation state of vanadium is +4. 

Mixed-valence species containing V11 and Viv bridged by an oxygen atom were intermediate in electron transfer between [V(Hedta)]- and [VO(Hedta)], and [V(edta)]2 and [VO(edta)]2-.815 Similarly bridged species were assumed in the reaction of [V(H20)6]2+ with [V0(H20)5]2+. Vanadium(III) dimeric complexes are the reaction products (see Section 33.4.9.3). 

The peroxo complexes of vanadium have not, by comparison with the other three elements (Ti, W, Mo) cited, been extensively employed for oxygen transfer reactions. The ease of the redox step vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV) introduces a mixture of two-electron and one-electron character into vanadium peroxo chemistry, which in the case of alkene epoxidation leads to side reactions of the substrate and products.81... 

Vanadium phosphates have been established as selective hydrocarbon oxidation catalysts for more than 40 years. Their primary use commercially has been in the production of maleic anhydride (MA) from n-butane. During this period, improvements in the yield of MA have been sought. Strategies to achieve these improvements have included the addition of secondary metal ions to the catalyst, optimization of the catalyst precursor formation, and intensification of the selective oxidation process through improved reactor technology. The mechanism of the reaction continues to be an active subject of research, and the role of the bulk catalyst structure and an amorphous surface layer are considered here with respect to the various V-P-O phases present. The active site of the catalyst is considered to consist of V and V couples, and their respective incidence and roles are examined in detail here. The complex and extensive nature of the oxidation, which for butane oxidation to MA is a 14-electron transfer process, is of broad importance, particularly in view of the applications of vanadium phosphate catalysts to other processes. A perspective on the future use of vanadium phosphate catalysts is included in this review. 

From comparison of antitumor activity and toxicity of hetero-ligand vanadium(V) complexes, Djordjevic and Wampler (79) arrived at the conclusion that the hetero-ligand is able to affect the redox potential of the V(V)/V(IV) couple in such a way that intramolecular electron transfer can occur within the V(V)-peroxoadduct. As a consequence, vanadium(V) is reduced to the IV state, and the peroxo group is oxidized to a superoxide radical. It is conceivable that such a species is present also during the reaction of vanadium bromoperoxidase with H2O2. However, there is no evidence for a radical type of reaction with bro-moperoxidases. 

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