Electrochemical behaviour of triphenylgermanium bromide

The electrochemical behaviour of triphenylgermanium bromide has been thoroughly investigated using various electrochemical techniques including polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. It has been found that in non-aqueous solvents triphenylgermanium bromide gives only one small drawn-out wave, while in aqueous-organic media two reduction waves are observed. The first wave has been ascribed to adsorption of the products of the reduction step II. The triphenylgermanium free radicals have been postulated to combine rapidly with protons in acidic media or to abstract hydrogen from water in alkaline media. The protonated species has been found to be reduced at potentials at which normal reduction of triphenylgermanium bromide takes place giving rise to a superimposed catalytic proton-discharge wave. A mechanism of reduction of triphneylgermanium bromide at the DME has been postulated and analytical methods for the determination of triphenylgermanium compounds at the formulation and trace analysis levels have been developed.