Electrochemical Behaviour of para-Amino benzoic acid and its Cadmium Complex

Abstract

The electrochemical behaviour of p-amino benzoic acid (PABA) has been investigated at glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous methanolic medium (1:1, v/v). The effects of pH, sweep rate and concentration have been studied. The reduction process of p-amino benzoic acid has been found to be irreversible which involves four electron transfers. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated. Also, the electrode reaction mechanism is proposed and discussed. Controlled current electrolysis of p-amino benzoic acid was also carried out using stainless steel (SS-316) electrodes in acidic medium. The product was isolated, purified and characterized by combined application of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The electrochemical reduction behaviour of synthesized cadmium complex with p-amino benzoic acid in DMF has also been studied cyclic voltammetrically using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. The reduction is quasi-reversible and involves two electrons transfer. The complex was characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectra.