A polarographic study of aliphatic nitro compounds 10. Electroreduction of nitrolic acid intermediates in the reduction of gem-dinitroalkanes and their analogs

Abstract

1. A study of the polarographic behavior of methylnltrolic, ethylnitrolic, and cyanomethylnitrolic acids has shown that: a) reduction is a two-step process in solutions with low proton-donor capacity, the first of these steps corresponding to reversible one-electron transfer; b) the first step in reduction in acidic solution involves a four-electron transfer with the formation of a nitrolic acid oxime. 2. A mechanism for nitrolic acid reduction, applicable in both acid and alkaline solutions, has been proposed.