The stabilization of chromium(IV) and chromium(V) in aqueous systems has now been made through designed alterations in Franck-Condon barriers for the interconversion of various oxidation states of chromium. Equatorially coordinated macrocyclic and Schiff base ligands influence the reorganizational barriers for the conversion of Cr(III)-Cr(IV)-Cr(V)-Cr(VI) couples such that Cr(IV) and Cr(V) transients of sufficiently long life time can be generated. A series of macrocyclic and Schiff base complexes of Cr(III) has been synthesised and subjected to non-complementary redox reaction with Ce(IV) or electrochemical oxidation. A Cr(IV) macrocyclic complex, Cr(Me₄[14]tetraene)(H₂O)₂⁴⁺, 1 has been generated in aqueous acidic medium, through electrochemical oxidation. The Ce(IV) oxidation of Cr(III) Schiff base complexes, diaqua[N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato) chromium(III)], and diaqua[N,N′-propylenebis(salicylideneiminato) chromium(III)] proceed in two stages with 1 Cr:l Ce(IV) redox stoichiometry. Suffīciently long-lived Cr(IV) intermediates and Cr(V) Schiff base products have been generated. ESR evidence for the formation of Cr(V) Schiff base products and the mechanistic outcome of the oxidation of Cr(III) Schiff bases are discussed.

Some experimental approaches to seek semi-quantitative understanding of factors controlling outer sphere electron transfer reactions of some transition metal complexes have been made. The relative importance of nuclear and electronic factors to outer sphere processes has been examined. By the manipulation of Franck-Condon or nuclear factors, it has now been possible to gain access into the chemistry of chromium in unusual oxidation states. An example of a reorganisation controlled electron transfer reaction involving Cr(IV)-Cr(III) system has been demonstrated. The bimolecular rate of reduction of diperoxoaquaethylenediamine chromium(IV) and diperoxodiethylenetriamine chromium(IV) is independent of the nature of th reductant employed viz. Fe²⁺ or VO²⁺ indicating that the generation of6 coordinate Cr(IV) species from7 coordinate of diperoxochromium(IV) reactant may be rate limiting. Similarly by increasing the barrier for the6 coordinate to4 coordinate structures through equatorial coordination of macrocyclic ligands, it has now been possible to detect through cyclic voltommogram the formation of relatively stable Cr(IV) species in the electrochemical oxidation of Cr(Me₄[14] tetraene)(H₂O)₂³⁺ in aqueous sulphuric acid media. The kinetics and mechanism of the cerium(IV) and iodosyl benzene oxidation of Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂⁺ and Cr(salprn)(H₂O)₂⁺ have been investigated and kinetic and spectroscopic evidence for the formation of Cr(IV) transients and stable Cr(V) products has been presented. The relative importance of Franck-Condon factors in the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(IV) and Cr(V) states in different macrocyclic and multidentate ligand environments has been discussed.