Investigation of a Homogeneous Second Order Reaction Using the Rotating Disc Electrode with Optically Transparent Ring

Abstract

Abstract The electrochemical oxidation of N, N, N', N'‐tetraphenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine to the corresponding quinonediimine is followed by a conproportionation to the semiquinoneimine. The reaction was investigated by spectrophotometry at the rotating disc electrode with optically transparent ring. Working curves relating dimensionless relative extinctions to dimensionless times were calculated by digital simulation for the general reaction scheme A ± ne ⇌ Q at the disc electrode followed by A + Q = 2S in solution. Collection efficiency, material balance, and shape of the working curve exhibited excellent agreement of calculations to the experiments. The rate constants of conproportionation were determined at temperatures between 230 K and 300 K.