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Photocatalysis of chloroform decomposition by hexachloroosmate(IV)
Laura A Peña1, Patrick E Hoggard
1Department of Chemistry, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Hexachloroosmate(IV) effectively catalyzes the photodecomposition of chloroform in aerated solutions. The decomposition products are consistent with a mechanism in which excited state OsCl(6)(2-) reduces chloroform, rather than one involving photodissociation of chlorine atoms. Trace amounts of ethanol or water in the chloroform lead to photosubstitution to form OsCl(5)(EtOH)(-) or OsCl(5)(H(2)O)(-), neither of which is photocatalytically active.
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