The electrochemical reduction of sulfur in dimethylformamide

摘要

Voltammetry at low temperatures, was used to show that the reduction of sulfur (S_8) in dimethylformamide (DMF) occurs in a 2e~- step and the form of the voltammogram depends on the stability of the S_8~(2-) formed. At low temperatures it is stable but at ambient temperatures it cleaves rapidly to give two S_4~- anions and at more negative potentials, S_4~- is reduced further in a reversible 1e~- process. The diffusion coefficient for S_8 was determined as a function of temperature. Furthermore, the addition of dihaloalkanes to the voltammetric solutions produces changes in the voltammograms which indicate reaction between the sulfur anions and the organic molecules.