The rate constants of oxidation and spin exchange reactions of positronium, Ps, atoms promoted at various temperatures by numerous 3d complexes are reviewed. The experimental methods used in the field are also described.
It is shown that the rate constants of Ps oxidation, kOx, and Ps conversion reactions, kCR, may easily be interpreted on the basis of ligand field theory. In particular, values of kCR were found to be linearly correlated with delocalization of unpaired electrons of the metal ions caused by the ligands, as is described by the ratio β between the inter-electronic repulsion parameters in complexes and in the free gaseous ions. The empirical equation used to estimate β seems to work better than previously believed. This should also be considered an achievement of the experiments reviewed.
The main conclusion is that, not only may Ps reactions with 3d complexes be easily interpreted by means of ligand field theory, but that the measurements of k for Ps reactions may, reciprocally, constitute a new method for investigating 3d complexes. Evidence was also found that the same conclusions should also be true for reactions of muonium, Mu.