Anodic behaviour of 2-mercaptoethanol at a mercury electrode

The anodic processes which occur at the mercury electrode in 2-mercaptoethanol solutions are studied by various polarographic techniques (d.c., a.c. and differential pulse), controlled-potential coulometry, cyclic voltammetry and differential capacity curves. Two steps are distinguished in the process: a one-electron charge transfer and a dismutation step leading to the formation of a mercury(II) mercaptide. The final product is isolated and analyzed. Differential-pulse polarography can be used to determine ?10^?4 M 2-mercaptoethanol with a limit of M.