The electrochemical approach to concerted proton--electron transfers in the oxidation of phenols in water.

ABSTRACT: Establishing mechanisms and intrinsic reactivity in the oxidation of phenol with water as the proton acceptor is a fundamental task relevant to many reactions occurring in natural systems. Thanks to the easy measure of the reaction kinetics by the current and the setting of the driving force by the electrode potential, the electrochemical approach is particularly suited to this endeavor. Despite challenging difficulties related to self-inhibition blocking the electrode surface, experimental conditions were established that allowed a reliable analysis of the thermodynamics and mechanisms of the proton-coupled electron-transfer oxidation of phenol to be carried out by means of cyclic voltammetry. The thermodynamic characterization was conducted in buffer media whereas the mechanisms were rev

SUBMITTER: Costentin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2775288 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature