Two-stage mechanism of the dicarbollyliron redox-reaction at electrode coated with a monolayer of behenic acid and hemin

The dicarbollyliron (Cb₂Fe^-) redox reaction is studied at an amalgamated platinum electrode coated with a monolayer of behenic acid on top of which hemin is adsorbed. The redox reaction of Cb₂Fe^- involves two stages. First, an electrochemical reaction of adsorbed hemin proceeds, which involves the electron transfer through the dielectric monolayer; it is followed by the hemin’s chemical redox reaction with dissolved Cb₂Fe^-. It is shown that the adsorbed hemin transformation, no matter how small, is sufficient for the stimulation of the Cb₂Fe^- redox reaction.