The mechanism of substitution reactions of trans - [MnN(H2O)(CN)4]2- with pyridine dicar...

The mechanism of substitution reactions of trans - [MnN(H₂O)(CN)₄]^2- with pyridine dicarboxylate ligands has been explored (H. J. van der Westhuizen, R. Meijboom, M. Schutte, A. Roodt, Inorg. Chem. , 2010 , 49 , 9599). The rate determining step is the second one, resulting in chelation and loss of cyanide. Attachment of the carboxylate oxygen to the Mn(V) center of trans - [MnN(H₂O)(CN)₄]^2- is extremely fast.

The following kinetics data were obtained at roughly 298 K, where k1 is the rate constant associated with the overall forward reaction.

Do you expect the rate determining step (chelation of the pyridine carboxylate and loss of cyanide) to proceed by dissociative or association activation? Explain.