Abstract
The kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of Co(Asn)(2), yielding Co(OH)(2), NH3 and aspartic acid, have been studied spectrophotometrically, and the effects of Co-II and NaOH concentrations on the reaction rate determined. The rate increases with increasing [NaOH], whereas variation of [Co-II] has no significant effect. The kinetics of NH3 evolution conform to the rate law:
d[NH3]/dt = k(1)'k(2)'[OH-][Co(Asn)(2)]/(k(-1)' + k(2)')
It is proposed that the reaction proceeds through formation of a dianionic tetrahedral intermediate.