A Polarographic study of some Wurster salts

Abstract

Four related Wurster salts are subjected to a polarographic investigation. In the case of Wurster's blue, results from the dropping mercury electrode, stationary platinum electrode, and rotated platinum electrode are compared. The Wurster salt of p-phenylenediamine is unstable in aqueous solution but is fairly stable in a mixture of methanol, acetic acid, and water and the decrease of diffusion current with time indicates a disproportionation. Wurster's red is also unstable in aqueous solution. In the solvent methanol, acetic acid, and water, a wave is observed with the stationary platinum electrode whose E_½ compares favourably with the potentiometric E^?₀. Evidence from the three types of electrodes mentioned previously indicates two one-electron waves for Wurster's blue. The semiquinone formation constant qualitatively appears much greater than that reported from potentiometric work. Decrease of diffusion current with time is perhaps due to a disproportionation (the very unstable di-imine has been shown to revert to the radical in aqueous solution). Polarographic waves given by the Wurster salt of diaminodurene suggest that the radical does not exist in aqueous solution. Waves corresponding to the original amine and duroquinone (formed by hydrolysis of the di-imine) are obtained.