Electrochemical Studies of Some Activated Olefinic Double Bonds in Nonaqueous Medium

Abstract

Redox characteristics of some activated ole®nic double bonds as in malonitriles in nonaqueous acetonitrile at gold, platinum and glassy carbon electrodes have been extensively studied. They are oxidized in a single irreversible one-electron process followed by deprotonation to form the dimer. On the other hand, the reduction occurs in two-electron process to give the corresponding dianion which abstracts protons to saturate the bond. The effect of substituents present on the phenyl ring on the E 1a2 values has also been studied.