Electrochemistry Of Ionic Liquids Containing Quinone Functionality Using Cavity Microelectrode Arrays

Abstract:

The quinone’s redox chemistry is important in a variety of applications such as enzyme electrochemistry, redox catalysis and bulk industrial processes. It is very well known that the electrochemistry of quinones is pH-sensitive where, under protic conditions, quinone reduction leads to hydroquinone form via a 2-electron/2-proton reduction; whereas, under aprotic conditions, reduction occurs via two consecutive one-electron process leading to the radical anion and di-anion, respectively [1]. Since certain room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are effectively aprotic [2], these have become popular media for fundamental and applied electrochemical investigations [3, 4] where reactive intermediates are electrogenerated. Since the redox chemistry of quinones is of both fundamental and applied importance, the introduction of quinone functionality into RTILs’ structure and their use as catalytic reaction media requires investigation.This communication reports the electrochemistry of a variety of RTILs possessing quinone functionality (benzo-, naphtha- and anthra-) using the cavity microelectrode arrays. The advantages and difficulties of using this type of cavity microelectrode over conventional electrodes will be presented. It will also be shown that creation of task-specific ionic liquid possessing the quinone functionality within their molecular structure facilitates dissolution in RTILs of otherwise insoluble quinones moieties.

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