The d.c. and a.c. polarography of some substituted azobenzenes in acetonitrile

Abstract

The d.c. and a.c. polarographic behaviour of several 4-monosubstituted azobenzenes in acetonitrile is reported. For all oompounds studied, two one-electron reduction steps are observed. The first reduction step is reversible and the second step is meversible, except for 4-nitroazobenzene where both reduction steps are reversible. The half-wave potentials of the reversible steps are directly related to the Hammett substituent constants. Small amounts of water have a marked effect on both the half-wave potentla1 and diffusion current of the second reduction step.