Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide Catalysed by Ruthenium complexes

Abstract

A preliminary study has been made of the oxidation of four octahedral Ru^II complexes in aqueous solution, particularly by H₂O₂. Kinetic measurements and simple experiments such as electrolytic oxidation followed by reduction with H₂O₂ have been used to obtain evidence for the mechanism of H₂O₂ decomposition when catalysed by the ruthenium complexes. The main course of the catalysis appears to consist in oxidation of Ru^II to Ru^IV with a corresponding reduction of H₂O₂ to hydroxyl ions, followed by a "electron reduction of Ru^IV to Ru^II with oxidation of H₂O₂ to O₂ and hydrogen ions.