Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide Catalysed by Ruthenium complexes

Abstract

A preliminary study has been made of the oxidation of four octahedral RuII 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 RuII to RuIV with a corresponding reduction of H2O2 to hydroxyl ions, followed by a "electron reduction of RuIV to RuII with oxidation of H2O2 to O2 and hydrogen ions.