In Situ IR Study of the Anodic Polarization of Gold Electrodes in Polar Aprotic Solvents: DMSO and DMF Solutions of Cyanate, Thiocyanate and Selenocyanate Ions
Author(s) -
Kethsiri H. K. L. Alwis,
Michael R. Mucalo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the electrochemical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1945-7111
pISSN - 0013-4651
DOI - 10.1149/2.0441412jes
Subject(s) - chemistry , thiocyanate , cyanate , perchlorate , electrochemistry , electrolyte , inorganic chemistry , polarization (electrochemistry) , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , supporting electrolyte , ion , tetrafluoroborate , redox , iodide , metal , electrode , polymer chemistry , ionic liquid , organic chemistry , chemical engineering , catalysis , engineering
Subtractively normalised Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (SNIFTIRS) studies combined with volammetric and supporting model solution studies have conclusively shown that Au electrodes anodically polarized in DMSO and DMF solutions containing the pseudohalide ions: cyanate, thiocyanate and selenocyanate with tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte dissolve to form Au(I) pseudohalide complex ions (i.e. [Au(NCO)₂]⁻, [Au(SCN)₂]⁻ and [Au(SeCN)₂]⁻. This work has demonstrated the significance of the Au(I) oxidation state which occurs after applied voltages of +500 mV(AgCl/Ag) in the little characterized electrochemistry of this metal in polar aprotic solvents, DMSO and DMF The Au(I) species observed electrochemically by SNIFTIRS were confirmed by independent preparation in DMSO/DMF containing mixtures of KAuBr₄ and the pseudohalide salt (KOCN/NaSCN/KSeCN) and exploiting fortuitous redox chemistry where Au(I) formed spontaneously. The model solutions examined by transmission FTIR and ESI-MS confirmed the existence of the Au(I) species posited in the SNIFTIRS experiments but additionally revealed other interesting side reactions occurring in the model solutions
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