Effects Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Polarography of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: III. The enhancing effect of various hydrocarbons on the polarographic maximum of methyl- p-benzoquinone

Summary The effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the polarographic maximum of methyl-p-benzoquinone (I) has been investigated in 2-methoxyethanol solution containing 0.25 M lithium chloride. (I) gave a single reduction wave having a typical maximum which was enhanced by the addition of hydrocarbons. Increasing the concentration of hydrocarbons caused the maximum to become higher and wider. The enhancing effect was more marked for compounds of higher ring number. This phenomenon was explained on the basis of von Stackelberg' s theory by assuming the Langmuir adsorption of hydrocarbons on the electrode surface.

Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the polarographic maximum of copper.

WHEN a solution of cupric sulphate and sulphuric acid in methanol is polarographed the current-voltage curve shows a pronounced maximum1, which is sensitive to suppression by a wide variety of substances. Waterman2 examined the action of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on this maximum, and reported that some carcinogenic hydrocarbons suppressed the maximum to a greater extent than did some non-carcinogenic hydrocarbons. This effect has recently been quoted by Brezina and Zuman3 as showing an established property of carcinogenic hydrocarbons: but it appears not to have been investigated further. Since Waterman compared 3,4-benzpyrene with pyrene and 1, 2-5, 6-dibenzanthracene with 3-methyl-1, 2-benzanthracene, that is, a five-ring with a four-ring compound in each case, it seemed desirable to carry out experiments with a larger range of hydrocarbons to see whether there is in fact any correlation between carcinogenicity and suppression of the copper maximum.