The quantitative electrochemical generation of bromine in acetic acid

The quantitative electrochemical generation of bromine at a platinum electrode in acetic acid is described. Coulometric methods for the determination of hydroquinone and 2-methylhydroquinone are reported. The best results are obtained with 0.7–1.1 M potassium acetate solutions as supporting electrolyte, and biamperometric end-point detection. The effects of water and acetic anhydride on the accuracy of titrations are discussed. Determination of the formal redox potential of the Br₂/Br^- system in a 0.9 M potassium acetate solution in acetic acid showed that bromide is oxidized directly to bromine at a platinum electrode with 100% current efficiency.