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The redox properties of anthraquinone (AQ) may be used to model the behaviour of quinones in biological systems. AQ undergoes two successive one-electron reductions in aprotic solvents to form a stable radical anion (AQ.-) and a stable dianion (AQ2-) but this behaviour is altered in the presence of a proton donor. This advanced undergraduate experiment shows how cyclic voltammetry, digital simulations of cyclic voltammograms, and UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry may be used to examine the reduction behaviour of AQ in dimethylformamide (DMF), both in the absence and presence of benzoic acid.
The cyclic voltammetry of AQ in DMF shows two reversible one-electron reductions. This allows the UV-visible spectra of AQ.- and of AQ2- to be determined using an optically transparent thin layer electrode (OTTLE) cell. AQH- may also be detected in the spectra if there are proton impurities. When benzoic acid is added to the DMF, the cyclic voltammograms are markedly altered with almost all the reduction occurring near the AQ/AQ.- potential and the corresponding oxidation at rather more positive potentials. The UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry shows AQH2 as the stable reduction product under these conditions while digital simulations of the cyclic voltammograms support a mechanism involving protonation of AQ.- followed by AQH. disproportionation.
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