A Mechanistic Study of O 2 Reduction on Water Soluble Phthalocyanines Adsorbed on Graphite Electrodes

Abstract

Co and Fe tetrasulfonate phthalocyanines (M‐TSP), adsorbed at monolayer levels on graphite surfaces, have been found to have a pronounced catalytic effect on the reduction process in both acid and alkaline solutions. The kinetics have been examined with the rotating ring‐disk electrode technique. Co‐TSP promotes the reduction process via two electrons to give peroxide whereas Fe‐TSP promotes a four‐electron reduction to give water.