The anodic oxidation of 2,4,5-triarylimidazoles in aprotic medium

The anodic oxidation of 2-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole and 2,4,5-tris-p-methoxyphenylimidazole in benzonitrile solutions has been studied, using rotating disc electrode, rotating double ring electrode, and coulometry as electrochemical techniques. ESR and UV-vis. spectroscopy were used for product analysis. The triarylimidazoles exhibit two or more oxidation waves. The first one is interpreted as a non-conventional e.c.e. mechanism where the parent molecule is involved in the chemical step. Further anodic waves are due to the oxidation of protonated triarylimidazole, produced in the e.c.e. mechanism.     

The use of a new pulsed solid electrode in the study of redox processes by alternating current voltammetry

The behaviour of a pulsed platinum electrode in an a.c. voltammetric study of ferrocene in aprotic medium and p-aminophenol in acetate buffer is reported. The experimental results obtained suggest that the new solid electrode may be also employed to characterize the nature of electrode processes using a.c. To this purpose the oxidation of 2-phenyl-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-amine indole in aprotic media is re-examined by phase sensitive a.c. voltammetry.     

Para-phenylenediamine oxidation at a platinum electrode in acetonitrile solutions

p-Phenylenediamine oxidation at platinum electrodes in acetonitrile solutions has been studied under a very wide range of experimental conditions. Chronopotentiometry, rotating disc electrode and cyclic voltammetry were used as electrochemical techniques. Coulometry at constant potential and product analysis were also performed.The electrochemical reaction appears as a fast and reversible one electron exchange per molecule of PPD. The electrode reaction is further complicated by follow-up chemical reactions giving unknown products in the bulk of the solution.The whole polarization curve under steady state conditions shows two waves, while under non-steady state conditions a small wave at intermediate potentials is also apparent.The reaction pathway for the first wave was interpreted as a non-conventional e.c.e. mechanism where the parent molecule acts as a base in the chemical step.These assumptions were confirmed through experiments performed with pyridine or water addition.     

Electrochemical sensor for detection of p-nitrophenol based on nanoporous gold

Nanoporous gold (NPG) with uniform pore sizes and ligaments was prepared by a simple dealloying method. The as-prepared NPG samples were used as the working electrodes to investigate the redox behavior of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Quite different from the voltammetric behavior of polycrystalline gold electrode, the CV profiles of NPG display a pair of nearly symmetric redox waves which are ascribed to the reaction of 4-(hydroxyamino)phenol/4-nitrosophenol couple. It is interesting that this pair of redox waves are hardly affected by the isomers of p-NP; and moreover, their peak areas are linear with the concentration of p-NP in the range from 0.25 to 10 mg dm^?3. Because of high sensitivity and good selectivity, NPG is expected to act as a promising electrochemical sensor material for detecting trace p-NP in wastewaters.     

The determination of p-cresol in chloroform with an enzyme electrode used in the organic phase

An enzyme electrode that operates in chloroform is described. Polyphenol oxidase (tyrosinase; EC.1.14.18.1) is used to detect p-cresol via electrochemical reduction of the product, 4-methyl- 1,2-benzoquinone, at a graphite foil electode. The response is linear for p-cresol concentrations of 0–0.10 mM, with a limit of detection of 1 μM. After an initial rise from 1.9 μA to 4.0 μA in the first three assays, the response of the electrode to 0.10 mM p-cresol remained stable for twelve consecutive assays ($\text{x}$=4.6, SD=0.49). After intermittent usage for 204 days with appropriate storage, the enzyme electrode remained active. The electrode is sensitive to a broad range of phenols. The feasibility of detecting p-cresol contamination of water is demonstrated.     

Voltammetric studies of the activity of an electrode made of a graphite-epoxy composite in redox reactions of ascorbic acid and hydroquinone

The potentials of the anodic peak of ascorbic acid oxidation and the potential differences of anodic and cathodic peaks (ΔE _p) of the hydroquinone/benzoquinone redox system at an electrode made of a graphite-epoxy composite are determined in weakly acidic and neutral supporting electrolytes by direct and cyclic voltammetry. The results obtained are compared with thermodynamic values and with the available values of these parameters at different solid electrodes for the above-mentioned redox systems. The effect of aging of the surface of electrodes made of graphite-epoxy composites on the potentials and peak currents of the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid are studied. It is demonstrated that the regeneration of the electrode surface by mechanically cutting thin layers is important for reducing the δE _p value of the hydroquinone/benzoquinone redox system down to 28–30 mV in supporting electrolytes with pH 2.0 and 7.0. This value is typical of thermodynamically reversible electrode reactions involving two-electron transfer at 20–25°C.     

Theory of a.c. voltammetry at a rotating disk electrode: Part II. Quasi-reversible and irreversible redox-electrode reactions

Alternating current response at a rotating disk electrode to a small a.c. potential wave superimposed on the slowly changing d.c. potential is theoretically treated for an quasireversible and an irreversible redox-electrode process. Expressions for alternating current-d.c. potential curves are given for three types of a.c. signals, i.e., sinusoidal, rectangular and triangular waves. It is shown that the effect of the coupling of the diffusion layers due to hydrodynamics and a.c. polarization can be expressed in terms of a parameter which is defined by the ratio of the frequency of a.c. wave to that of the rotation of the electrode and Schmidt number.     

Polarography of some sulphur-containing compounds : Part XII. Anodic waves of monoalkyldithiocarbamates and their reactions with heavy metals

Monoalkyldithiocarbamates give two anodic polarographic waves, corresponding to a one-electron and a two-electron process. A reaction scheme is proposed. The unusual behaviour observed during controlled-potential electrolysis in sodiumhydroxide media is interpreted as a chemical reaction of the primary electrolysis product; the species formed gives a wave similar to the original compound. Different adsorption phenomena are probably caused by varying orientation of the mercury compound on the electrode surface. The adsorbed layer formed in sodium hydroxide solution is so close-packed that it prevents hydroxyl ions from penetrating and thus giving an anodic wave. For analytical purposes, 0.1 M sodium hydroxide is the most suitable supporting electrolyte; linear calibration graphs can be obtained over the range 5 · 10^-5–1 · 10^-3M.     

Preparation of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide-modified electrode and its application for determination of p-aminophenol

A simple and eco-friendly electrochemical method to reduce graphene oxide precursor was employed for fabrication of graphene sheets modified glassy carbon electrode, and then, the resulting electrode [electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO)/glassy carbon electrode (GCE)] was used to determine p-aminophenol. The experimental results demonstrated that the modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of p-aminophenol as evidenced by the significant enhancement of redox peak currents and the decreased peak-to-peak separation in comparison with a bare GCE. A highly sensitive and selective voltammetry determination of p-aminophenol is developed using the ERGO/GCE. This method has been applied for the direct determination of p-aminophenol in artificial wastewater.     

Semidifferential electroanalysis with a solid working electrode

Semidifferential electroanalysis is described for hexacyanoferrate(III), dichromate, copper(II), p-aminophenol, p-benzoquinone, m-dinitrobenzene, guanine, guanosine, adenine, and adenosine at a stationary solid working electrode. Nearly symmetrical, peaked curves are obtained for the electrode processes of all the samples investigated. The predicted dependence of peak height and peak potential on concentration, electrode area, and potential scan rate are confirmed-experimentally for the glassy carbon disk electrode. It is demonstrated that the technique with the solid working electrode provides higher sensitivity and better resolution than ordinary linear sweep voltammetry. The sensitivity is somewhat worse than in differential pulse voltammetry, but the technique has the advantage of Speed.     

Selective recognition and electrochemical detection of p-nitrophenol based on a macroporous imprinted polymer containing gold nanoparticles

We have combined the molecular imprinting and the layer-by-layer assembly techniques to obtain molecularly imprint polymers (MIPs) for the electrochemical determination of p-nitrophenol (p-NPh). Silica microspheres functionalized with thiol groups and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were assembled on a gold electrode surface layer by layer. The electrode was then immersed into a solution of pyrrole and p-NPh (the template), and electropolymerization led to the creation of a polymer-modified surface. After the removal of the silica spheres and the template, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were employed to characterize the surface. The results demonstrated the successful fabrication of macroporous MIPs embedded with Au-NPs on the gold electrode. The effects of monomer concentration and scan rate on the performance of the electrode were optimized. Excellent recognition capacity is found for p-NPh over chemically similar species. The DPV peak current is linearly related to concentration of p-NPh in the 0.1 μM to 1.4 mM range, with a 0.1 μM limit of detection (at S/N?=?3).

Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide in the Ethanol Extract of Lotus Leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) Enhances Sleep Quantity and Quality in a Rodent Model via a GABAergic Mechanism

Current pharmacological treatments for insomnia carry several and long-term side effects. Therefore, natural products without side effects are warranted. In this study, the sleep-promoting activity of the lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) extract was assessed using ICR mice and Sprague Dawley rats. A pentobarbital-induced sleep test and electroencephalogram analysis were conducted to measure sleep latency time, duration, and sleep architecture. The action mechanism of the extract was evaluated through ligand binding experiments. A high dose (300 mg/kg) of the ethanolic lotus leaf extract significantly increased sleep duration compared to the normal group (p < 0.01). Administration of low (150 mg/kg) and high doses (300 mg/kg) of the extract significantly increased sleep quality, especially the relative power of theta waves (p < 0.05), compared to the normal group. Furthermore, caffeine and lotus leaf extract administration significantly recovered caffeine-induced sleep disruption (p < 0.001), and the sleep quality was similar to that of the normal group. Additionally, ligand binding assay using [³H]-flumazenil revealed that quercetin-3-O-glucuronide contained in the lotus leaf extract (77.27 μg/mg of extract) enhanced sleep by binding to GABA_A receptors. Collectively, these results indicated that the lotus leaf extract, particularly quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, exhibits sleep quantity- and quality-enhancing activity via the GABAergic pathway.     

The electrochemical behavior of Os(II) complexes with α,α′-bipyridine and o-phenanthroline in non-aqueous solvents

The electrode reactions of Os(II) complexes with α,α′-bipyridine and o-phenanthroline have been studied in non aqueous solvents. Tris bipyridine and tris phenanthroline complexes of Os(II) give one-step oxidation waves and three-step reduction waves, while bis bipyridine complexes of Os(II) containing py₂, en, CN₂, Cl₂ and Br₂ as mixed ligands give one-step oxidation waves and two-step reduction waves. Most of these waves correspond to reversible single electron transfers. It is noticed that the half-wave potentials or the peak potentials of bis bipyridine complexes are shifted to more negative direction than those of the tris complex in both oxidation and reduction processes. This is attributable to less electron with drawing nature of substituted ligands than bipyridine. These potential data, the shifts of E_1/2 or E_p from those of tris complexes, and δE*, the potential difference between two consecutive single electron waves, are discussed in terms of molecular orbital scheme.     

Theoretical analysis of catalytic current-potential curves: Part II. First-order regeneraration reactions coupled with dimeric product of the electrode reaction

Equations of the polarographic current-potential curves are derived for electrode reactions of the type 2A+ze^?k_s,α→B coupled by an irreversible chemical regeneration reaction B+C^k→2A+D. Analytical solutions based on a general treatment were derived, including reversible, irreversible and quasi-reversible electrode processes. The kinetic domain over which an irreversible following chemical reaction affects the half-wave potentials is defined.     

Polarographic behaviour of some p-nitrophenyl-diazo-aryl sulphides in aqueous buffered media

The polarographic behaviour of some p-nitrophenyl-diazo-aryl sulphides in 40% ethanolic aqueous buffers is reported and discussed. The mechanism of electrode processes corresponding to the observed cathodic waves is proposed and clarified by means of model compounds and identification of controlled potential electrolysis products.     

Electrochemistry of electropolymerized tetra (p-aminophenyl)porphyrin nickel film electrode and catalytic oxidation of acetaminophen

A polymer film of tetra(p-aminophenyl) porphyrin nickel was obtained at a glassy carbon electrode by a cyclic voltammetric method. Cyclic voltammograms of the film electrode exhibited two stable redox waves with anodic peak potential at 0.43V and cathodic peak potential at 0.30 V in 0.5M NaOH aqueous solution. The electrocatalytic characteristics of the film electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry, a. c. impedance analysis and other methods. The oxidation peak current increased linearly with the addition of acetaminophen to the aqueous NaOH medium in the range 1 × 10^–6–2 × 10^–4 M acetaminophen. The performance of the electrode was verified by the determination of acetaminophen in a paracetamol preparation.     

Professor K.S.G. Doss in honour of his reaching his seventieth year

Recent studies have clearly demonstrated the importance of including the sphericity of the dropping mercury electrode in the theoretical analysis of certain polarographic phenomena. Experimental effects of sphericity on second harmonic a.c. polarograms¹ and on polarograms for reversible electrode reactions with amalgam formation^2.3 have been successfully described using a theoretical treatment augmented by computer simulation. The simulation procedure we present here allows one to simulate diffusion phenomena at the growing mercury drop (sphere) electrode without modification of other simulation operations, e.g. computation of surface boundary conditions⁴ or of homogeneous kinetics⁵. We treat two cases: “External” diffusion where the diffusing species, A, is in the solution phase with the boundary condition A_x=0=0 for t>0; and “internal” diffusion where the diffusing species is in the mercury phase with the same boundary condition.     

Specific features of electrochemical reduction of α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene at its low concentrations

In the cyclic voltamograms for electrochemical reduction of α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene at its concentrations of 5 and 10 mM in dimethylformamide solution of 0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄, taken at glassy-carbon electrode, four current peaks corresponding to consecutive stages of the reduction process are observed for the first time. The many times repeated potential cycling from 0 V (SCE) to the value approaching the 2nd peak potential results in the electrode passivation; a film of the intermediate product of the α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene reduction is deposited at the electrode, whose composition may be-(BrCH-C₆H₄-CHBr-BrCH-C₆H₄-CHBr)_n-. When the electrode covered with the deposited film is transferred to a solution of the same composition, in which the primary cycling was performed, yet free from α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene, and underwent to potential cycling up to ?2V, the first cycle demonstrates a current peak that is due to the film reduction. A redox-active poly(p-phenylenevinylene) forms at the electrode.     

Voltammetric determination of dihydroxybenzenes at a mechanically renewed electrode made from a graphite-epoxy composite

Differences of potentials of anodic and cathodic peaks (ΔE _p) are determined in cyclic voltammograms of dihydroxybenzene/p-benzoquinone redox systems at an electrode made of a graphite-epoxy composite in a wide pH range. The data obtained (ΔE _p = 29 ± 1 mV) are close to the thermodynamic values for two-electron reversible reactions. This indicates that the electrode mechanically renewed by cutting a 0.5-μm surface layer directly in a test solution exhibits a high activity in such electrochemical reactions. The potentials of anodic and cathodic peaks are proportional to the pH of the supporting electrolyte solution in the range from 1.0 to 9.0. A change of 58 ± 1 mV in E _p per unit pH for all isomers shows that the first stage of the oxidation of each dihydroxybenzene isomer involves one electron and is accompanied by the detachment of one hydrogen ion, that is, an intermediate oxidation product, semiquinone, is formed. Despite the closeness of the potentials of hydroquinone and pyrocatechol peaks (ΔE = 100 mV), a scheme is proposed for the selective voltammetric determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers in a 0.1 M HCl solution in hydroquinone-pyrocatechol, pyrocatechol-resorcinol, and hydroquinone-resorcinol binary mixtures. The concentrations of hydroquinone and pyrocatechol are found from cathodic peaks and that of resorcinol, from the anodic peak. The results are well reproducible and contain no systematic error.     

Effect of the Nature of a Quaternary Ammonium Salt and the Addition of a Neutral Carrier on Analytical Characteristics of Sulfate-Selective Electrodes

A film polyvinyl chloride sulfate-selective electrode based on the sterically accessible higher quaternary ammonium salt, 3,4,5-tris(dodecyloxy)benzyl(oxyethyl)3trimethylammonium chloride, using 1-bromonapthalene as a plasticizer and heptyl p-trifluoroacetylbenzoate as a solvating agent was developed. The limit of detection of the electrode was 6.7 × 10^?7 M, lifetime was 1 month, and the slope of the electrode function was 27 mV/decade. The electrode is selective in the presence of interfering Cl^?, C₂O₄^?, Br^?, and NO₃^?ions. The interference of carbonate ions was eliminated by maintaining pH at 3.2 ± 0.1. Based on IR spectroscopic and potentiometric studies, it is most likely that the solvation of sulfate ions with heptyl p-trifluoroacetylbenzoate occurs through interaction with the trifluoroacetyl carbonyl carbon atom rather than with hydroxyl groups of the hydrate form.