On the mechanism of electroreduction of sulphur-containing ligands induced by the electroreduction of transition metal cations

Abstract

The large scale electrolysis of Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Co(III), Fe(II), Mn(II), Cr(II), Cr(III), Bi(III), In(III) and Sb(III) at mercury electrodes in presence of mercaptoacetic acid, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, cysteine and thiourea was carried out and the products were investigated. In case of transition metal ions the catalytic reduction of organic compounds resulting in the formation of sulphide ions was found. There are two possible ways of the production of these ions: (i) consisting in the formation of a complex between transition metal ion and organic ligand which is subsequently, reduced, and (ii) direct electroreduction of organic compound on the electrode modifiied by the deposition of metal and metal sulphide. For both cases the mechanism of electroreduction was discussed.