Ionic-strength dependence of electron-transfer reactions of Keggin heteropolytungstates: Mechanistic probes of O2 activation in water

Rates of electron self exchange between α-AlW12O406− (α-21e) and α-AlW12O405− (α-2ox), as a function of ionic strength in water, comply with the extended Debye-Hückel equation. These, and related aqueous-solution studies, recommend 21e as mechanistic probe for obtaining detailed information about the first steps in reduction of O2 to H2O, a process of considerable importance to chemistry and biology.