Spectroelectrochemical study of the copper(II) transfer assisted by 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline at the water|1,2-dichloroethane interface

Abstract

The assisted transfer of Cu(II) by interfacial complexation with 6,7-dimethyl-2,3-di(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (DMDPQ) is studied at the polarised water|1,2-dichloroethane junction. Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects were addressed by cyclic voltammetry and in situ spectrophotometric measurements. The dependence of the half wave transfer potential on the ligand concentration suggests that the equilibrium is effectively displaced towards a 1:3 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry, with an association constant of log β3o=26.0. Visible spectra recorded by reflection from the aqueous phase showed the presence of two absorption bands at 400 and 500 nm associated with the Cu(II) complex. Chronoabsorptometric studies in the presence of a ligand excess suggest that the assisted transfer kinetics are effectively controlled by the diffusion of the metal ion to the interface.