Electrochemical Reduction of m-Nitrophenol in Aqueous Methanol Medium at Various Electrodes

Abstract

Voltammetric curves of m-nitrophenol in aqueous-methanol medium for acidic, basic and neutral ranges using B.R. Buffer for various concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 mM) and scan rates were obtained. The prominent three reduction peaks corresponding to 4e^– change of m-nitro phenol was characterized at 0.1 mM concentration in basic medium at scan rate 90 mV/s. The reversibility of the reaction was also studied by the cyclic voltammetry. Constant current electrolysis of 0.02 mM m-nitrophenol in basic medium gives m-hydroxy phenyl hydroxylamine at stainless steel (type 316) cathode and counter electrode of same size and material at constant current 1.9 A, respectively, as a major product which were confirmed by spectral and chemical analysis.