The reactions of hydrazine,
methylhydrazine, and 1,1-dimethylhydrazine with trans-dichlorobis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III)
chloride in concentrated and dilute solutions are studied. In concentrated
solution, there is a reduction by hydrazine to form the insoluble polymeric [CoII(N2H4)2Cl2]n,
a substitution by methylhydrazine to form chlorobis(ethylenediamine)methylhydrazinecobalt(III) chloride, and a
disproportionation with 1,1-dimethylhydrazine to form
tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) chloride. In dilute solution, the reaction
observed is a hydroxide substitution by hydrolysis of 1,1- dimethylhydrazine,
a reduction to soluble cobalt(II)-ethylenediamine species with hydrazine, and a
mixture of both processes for methylhydrazine. The chlorobis(ethylenediamine)methylhydrazinecobalt-(III) chloride obtained is a new
complex, and is assigned a cis configuration on the basis of spectroscopic
observations. The kinetics of its intramolecular electron-transfer, as well as
its acid and base hydrolyses are also studied.