Square-wave voltammetry of 4,4′-diisopropyl-2,2′-bithiazoline and its complex with copper(II)

(4S)-4′-diisopropyl-2,2′-bithiazoline (DPT) is an electroactive organic chiral compound giving two reduction responses in square-wave voltammograms at potentials about −0.2 and −0.4 V by forming a complex with mercury which deposits at the electrode surface. By the addition of copper(II) ion to the solution of DPT a third peak appears between them at about −0.3 V, which corresponds to the reduction of adsorbed Cu-DPT complex. Optimal pH for the investigation of those redox processes was found to be 2.8. By square-wave voltammetric measurements it was interpreted that these redox reactions were quasireversible with immobilized reactants. By plotting i_p/f vs. frequency a quasireversible maximum was obtained, and the apparent standard reaction rate constants were calculated: log (k_s)DPT=(0.91 ± 0.9) and 1 < k_s < 65_S⁻¹, log (k_s)_CuDPT= (0.35 ± 0.9) and 0.3 < k_s < 18 S⁻¹ in 0.55 M NaCl.