Electrochemical behaviour of organotin compounds: Part III. Dialkyltin mercaptocarboxylates

Electrochemical behaviour of di-n-octyltin dithioglycolate has been investigated in acetate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 80% (v/v) ethanol. It has been found to give two well-defined polarographic waves, one of which is anodic and involves two-electron oxidation of the mercaptide. The other wave has been found to be cathodic and is due to one-electron reduction of the dioctyltin compound to a free radical. Strong adsorption of the compound at the DME was indicated by depression in its drop time curve. A mechanism of the electrode process is postulated and a method for detection of these compounds down to p.p.m. level has been developed.