Electrochemical investigation of 1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivatives in acetonitrile

The electrochemical behaviour of some recently synthesized 1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivatives in acetonitrile were studied. In the absence of proton donors, the anthraquinones reduced in two successive one-electron steps. The first step is reversible or quasi reversible, while the second step is quasi reversible, depending on the electrode used, The influence of molecular structure on the reduction potential is addressed. The diffusion coefficients of the anthraquinone derivatives were determined from chronoamperometric measurements on GC and Au electrodes. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants and charge transfer coefficients were evaluated from rotating disk voltammetry measurements. Dependence of the rate constants on the anthraquinone structure and the electrode materials is discussed.