Abstract

D´ELIA, Luis F.  and  ORTIZ, R.. Electrochemical Oxidation of Toluene on Glassy Carbon Electrodes in Organic Medium. Port. Electrochim. Acta [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.4, pp.481-490. ISSN 0872-1904.

The electro-oxidation of toluene in 0.1 M But₄NPF₆ + CH₃CN solutions on glassy carbon electrodes was studied using electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques. Toluene electro-oxidation yields an electrochemical inactive film on the electrode surface. In situ Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) studies suggest the formation of a polymeric film, as the main product, on the surface. Depending on the experimental time scale toluene transformation is a complex reaction that could involve adsorption processes, pure charge transfer reaction and couple chemical reactions. Additions of small quantities of water to the electrolyte cause a cathodic displacement of the oxidation peak potential; in other words, the electro-oxidation reaction is favoured.

Keywords : electrochemical oxidation; toluene; organic medium; glassy carbon; in situ FTIR.

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