The synthesis, characterization, X-ray crystal structures, and reactivity in aqueous acidic solution of the Co(III) carbonate complexes [Co(tpa)(O2CO)]CIO(4)center dot H2O, [Co(Me-tpa)(O2CO)]CIO(4)center dot 0.5H(2)O, [Co(Me-2-tpa)(O2CO)]CIO(4)center dot 0.5H(2)O, and [Co(Me-3-tpa)(O2CO)]CIO4 are reported (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; Me-tpa, Me-2-tpa, and Me-3-tpa are derivatives of tpa containing one, two, and three 6-methylpyridyl rings, respectively). The complexes display very different spectroscopic and Co-59 NIMR properties, consistent with the decreasing ligand field strength of the tripodal amine ligands in the order tpa > Me-tpa > Me-2-tpa > Me-3-tpa. X-ray structural data show an increase in the average Co-N bond distances as the number of methyl groups on the tripodal amine ligand increases, and this is the result of steric interactions between the methyl groups and the carbonate ligand and between the methyl groups themselves. Rate data for the acid hydrolysis of [Co(tpa)(O2CO)](+) (l = 1.0 M (NaCIO4), 25.0 degrees C) over the [HCIO4] range of 0.10-1.0 M are consistent with a previously proposed mechanism involving protonation of the carbonate ligand prior to ring-opening, but the equilibrium constant for protonation is smaller in this case than those obtained previously, as is the equilibrium constant for proton transfer from the exo to the endo 0 atoms. Comparative rate data ([HCI] = 6.0 M, 25.0 degrees C) for the four complexes show that those containing methylated ligands undergo acid hydrolysis between 25 and 90 times more slowly than [Co(tpa)(O2CO)](+) under the same conditions, and it is proposed that this rate difference is a result of steric factors. Inspection of space-filling diagrams shows that one of the endo oxygen atoms is significantly sterically hindered by the methyl groups of the tripodal amine ligands, thus inhibiting protonation at this site and leading to slower observed rates of hydrolysis. The results obtained in this study are consistent with the endo oxygen atoms being the mechanistically important site of protonation in the acid hydrolysis of metal complexes containing chelated carbonate.