Jiujun Zhang, F. Anson
Nov 1, 1993
Citations
0
Influential Citations
40
Citations
Journal
Electrochimica Acta
Abstract
Abstract The complex of Cu 2+ with one molecule of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline is strongly and irreversibly adsorbed on graphite electrodes where it functions as an electrocatalyst for the reduction of O 2 and H 2 O 2 . The corresponding complex involving two molecules of the ligand is also strongly adsorbed but is not catalytically active. The methyl groups in the 2 and 9 positions of the phenanthroline ring produce a significant positive shift in the potential where the adsorbed catalyst functions compared with the unsubstituted complex. The catalytic mechanism is argued to involve intramolecular electron transfer between the reduced copper center and substrate coordinated to it.