Formation of hexacyanomanganate(II) in cyanide medium and kinetics and mechanism of its oxidation by chromate
The rate of formation of hexacyanomanganate(II) is first-order in Mn(II) and depends on both the cyanide and hydroxide concentrations. The experimental results agree with a reaction mechanism which involves manganese(II) cyano- and hydroxo-complexes. Chromate slowly oxidizes hexacyanomanganate(II). The kinetics of this reaction is first-order on hexacyanomanganate(II), and the experimental rate constant depends on the chromate concentration according to the equation kexp = 3kK[Cr(VI)]/(1 + K[Cr(VI)]). The effect of both the CN− and the OH− ions is slighter. A tentative mechanism is proposed which involves a pre-equilibrium with the formation of a hexacyanomanganate(II)–chromate complex, followed by a monomolecular decomposition. By comparing this reaction mechanism with that of other one-electron chromate reductions, it appears that hexacyanomanganate(II) behaves like octacyanomolybdate(IV) rather than like hexacyanoferrate(II) and other substitution-inert reductants. Both the equilibrium constants for the complex formation and the rate constant for its decomposition are evaluated, and voltammetric evidence of the formation of hexacyanomanganate(III)–chromate complexes is also presented. Keywords: hexacyanomanganate(II), formation rate, oxidation with chromate, kinetics, mechanism.