The reactivity of some high- and low-spin iron(III) complexes with atomic hydrogen in aqueous solution

The rate constants of the reactions of H atoms (produced by the electrodeless high-frequency dissociation of hydrogen gas) with some high- and low-spin complexes of Fe^III were determined. The results are compared with those obtained for related H atom reactions with Fe^III complexes, using radiation chemical techniques, with reactions of such complexes with e_aq^-, and with the rates of reactions of other metal ion complexes. The results are consistent with mechanisms involving H atom addition and, in the case of high-spin complexes, specific effect of the ligands on the resultant electron transfer.