MECHANISMS OF THE BRIDGE CLEAVAGE REACTIONS OF U-HYDROXO-BIS(BIS(O-PHENANTHROLINE)CHROMIUM(III)), XO-MU-OXO-BIS(BIS(O-PHENANTHROLINE)CHROMIUM(III)), AND DI-MU-OXO-BIS(BIS(O-PHENANTHROLINE)CHROMIUM(III)) COMPLEX-IONS IN ACID AND BASE MEDIA

Mechanistic studies on the bridge cleavage reactions of three double-b ridged complexes, di-mu-hydroxo-, mu-hydroxo-mu-oxo-,nd di-mu-oxo-bis{ bis(o-phenanthroline)chromium(III)} complex ions have been made in aci dic (57-75 degrees) and in basic (47-60 degrees) media. In acid medium , bridge cleavage reaction of all the complexes takes place after tran sformation to the dihydroxo form, both by acid-catalyzed and acid-free paths. In basic medium, all the complexes transform to the di-oxo for m which undergoes bridge cleavage by base-independent path only. Bond cleavage processes are similar in both acidic and basic media.