The thermal and photochemistry of oxalatobis(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes have been studied. The rate constants for the thermal aquation reactions have been determined and the quantum yield for the photoaquation has been estimated as a function of excitation wavelength and pH of the solution. The quantum yield for photoaquation varies from 7×10−2 to 10−3 depending upon the pH of the solution and wavelength of excitation. The activation parameters for the thermal reactions have been estimated for the systems investigated.
