Physico-chemical studies on areno tropilidenes and tropones. II. The polarographic reduction and electrode kinetics of some furotropone derivatives

Abstract

The polarographic reduction of nine furotropone derivatives has been studied in Thiel buffers and in DMF. The reduction of compounds having two methyl or two phenyl groups proceeds via two electron waves along the whole pH range studied. The reduction of furotropone and derivatives having one substituent or three methyl groups proceeds via one reversible electron wave in acid media while in neutral and alkaline media two waves each corresponding to 1 F are observed. Above pH 12, the limiting current decreases and one wave appears, corresponding to 1 F. The values of n were determined coulometrically using the Ilkovic equation. All waves are diffusion controlled while the electrode process along these waves is irreversible. The rate constant, the free energy of activation, and the electron affinities of these compounds were computed.