Polarographic Behavior of Organic Compounds in Methanesulfonic Acid

Abstract

Aromatic nitro compounds and triarylcarbinols gave normal polarographic waves in methanesulfonic acid. Aromatic ketones and aldehydes gave waves which were complicated by maxima. Nitro compounds were reduced to the phenylhydroxylamines which were rearranged by the acid to the p‐aminophenols. The triarylcarbinols were reduced to the triphenylmethanes under anhydrous conditions and to the free radicals in the presence of water. Ketones and aldehydes were reduced to the pinacols which, under the influence of the strong acid, underwent the pinacol rearrangement.