Reactions of gases in solution. Part III. Some reactions of nitrous oxide with transition-metal complexes

Abstract

Nitrous oxide reacts rapidly in solution at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure with a number of transition-metal complexes. It reacts with the cobalt(I) corrin, vitamin B_12s, in aqueous solution according to the stoicheiometry 2Co^I+ N₂O → 2Co^II+ N₂ and with [Co^I(Ph₂P·CH₂·CH₂·PPh₂)₂]Br in benzene or ethanol according to the stoicheiometry 2Co^I+ N₂O → N₂. The cobalt dimethylglyoxime, bipyridyl, and corrin complexes act as catalysts for the reduction of N₂O to N₂ by borohydride. In contrast to previous reports we find that acidified aqueous solutions of TiCl₃ do not reduce N₂O.