The voltammetric study of the reduction of tetraalkylammonium perchlorate by Fe(TPP)2−

Abstract

Tetraalkylammonium ions react with Fe ( TPP )2− to form Fe ( TPP )( R )− and trialkylamine. The tetrabutylammonium cation was verified to be the source of the alkyl group in the product, Fe ( TPP )( R )−, by using (1 H 5 C 2)3(2 H 5 C 2) N − as the cation and 2 H NMR. The reaction of Fe ( TPP )2− with Bu 4 N − was monitored by cyclic voltammetry and thin layer spectroelectrochemistry. The activation parameters were measured, and were most consistent with an electron transfer (ET) mechanism. The rate of the reaction of tetramethyl and tetraethylammonium ions with Fe ( TPP )2− was also examined. The rate constant decreased significantly as the carbon chain length decreased, which was also consistent with an ET mechanism.