Abstract
Electrochemical studies on tetraethyllead and tetramethyllead at mercury electrodes in dichloromethane are characterised by a one electron oxidation process in contrast to the two electron step reported for the tetraphenyllead compound. Short time pulse techniques and coulometric techniques with tetraethyllead are consistent with the mechanism: {A figure is presented}{A figure is presented}. The initial reaction pathway with the methyl analogue is the same. However, long time scale experiments with tetramethyllead are modified by further reactions of the kind {A figure is presented}. New studies on tetraphenyllead employing variable time domain pseudo derivative normal pulse polarography show that the oxidation of this compound is also consistent with a one electron process at very short times. However the Φ3Pb{radical dot} radical is slower to dimerise than the alkyllead radicals and so direct reaction with ΦHg+ is observed to generate Φ3Pb+ and Φ2Hg. A subsequent electrochemical process involving Φ3Pb+ at the mercury electrode is responsible for the overall two electron transfer reaction observed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 37-48 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry and Interfacial Electrochemistry |
Volume | 194 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Oct 1985 |