REACTIONS OF COORDINATED LIGANDS .I. KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF HYDROLYSIS OF N-SALICYLIDENEANILINE IN PRESENCE OF METAL IONS

The hydrolysis of N-salicylideneaniline Schiff base was studied in the presence and absence of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions in 10% ethanol-water medium. Proton-catalyzed addition of water at the aldimine linkage is suggested to be the rate-determining step for the hydrolysis of (1:1) metal chelates. The reactivity of the chelates was found to follow the reverse sequence of their stability constants. Zn(II) ion has been found to be the most effective catalyst in hydrolyzing the Schiff base. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.