Electrochemical Reduction of 1,2‐Di( p ‐tolylimino)ethane and 1,2‐Di(2,4‐dimethylphenylimino)ethane in Dimethylformamide

1,2‐Di( p ‐tolylimino)ethane ( I ) and 1,2‐Di(2,4‐dimethylphenylimino)ethane ( II ) were synthesized and their electrochemical behavior investigated in dimethylformamide using classical voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, controlled potential electrolysis and coulometry. Both bis‐Schiff base ligands examined show a cathodic irreversible peak which corresponds to one‐electron reduction of the substrate to form anion radical. According to the fact obtained from cyclic voltammetry, that the current function ( i p / ù 1/2 ) is a decreasing function of the scan rate, it can be concluded that there is a following coupling chemical reaction (EC mechanism). Thus, the most probable mechanism of electroreduction of both ligands is the coupling of two radicals to form a dimer.