Electrochemistry at Very High Potentials: The Use of Ultramicroelectrodes in the Anodic Oxidation of Short Chain Alkanes

摘要

The use of ultramicroelectrodes is aprotic solvent containing no purposefully added support electrolyte allows the observed anodic oxidation limit in acetonitrile to be considerable extended. The anodic oxidation of methane, butane, and other aliphatic alkanes is clearly observed under steady state conditions at potential up to about 3.8V (Ag+ reference). The oxidation of the solvent occurs significantly at potentials greater than 4.0V and appears to result in radical coupling reactions forming both soluble and insoluble polymers.