Abstract
The effect of triton‐X‐100 micelles on the aquation of Fe(C10H6N2O)3 2+ has been investigated with triton‐X‐100 as solvent. In liquid triton‐X‐100, over a range of [H2O] T (0.0–3 M), significant rate enhancement factors of 50–150 are observe. Acid inhibits the rate of aquation at fixed [H2O] T . A mechanism based on effective solvent participation in a chemical environment similar to that in reversed micelles is proposed in liquid triton‐X‐100 with dispersed water pockets. This mechanism predicts direct H2O substitution into the coordination sphere of Fe(C10H6N2O)3 2+ in the highly polar water pockets or cavities where the Fe (II) complex molecules are solubilized. Changes in the tumbling rate, structure, and activity of water are suggested to account for the observed changes in the rate of aquation as a function OH [H2O] T . All k ψ–[H2O] T profiles are structured and exhibit maxima with k ψ(max) shifted to progressively higher [H2O] T as the fixed concentration [H+] T is increased.