Self electro-catalysis of hydroquinone on gold electrode in aqueous un-buffered media

Redox behavior of hydroquinone (H₂Q) in an un-buffered aqueous medium at gold electrode is reported. In multiple scanned cyclic voltammograms, appearance of a new redox couple, splitting of H₂Q oxidation peak and anodic shift of original H₂Q redox peak were observed. Comparative studies of quinone (Q) under similar conditions establish the formation of surface confined Q as an intermediate. Electro-catalysis by the electro-generated Q monolayer is proposed to be responsible for the splitting of H₂Q oxidative wave in the cyclic voltammetry.