Electrochemical behavior of a nitrobenzenesulfonyl derivative of aniline in aqueous solution

The electrochemical behavior of aniline protected by a nitrobenzene sulphonyl group in aqueous solution at a mercury electrode is reported. At pH < 10 the compound was reduced in a single well-defined step. Reduction of the nitro group involving a preceding protonation step was postulated. Two reduction steps are present at higher pH (pH > 11). Controlled potential electrolysis confirms that the reduction of the nitro group in a four-electron step to N-phenyl-4-hydroxylamine sulphonamide is always the preponderant process.