VOLTAMMETRIC STUDY OF THE ANODIC-OXIDATION OF ENOLATE CARBANIONS

A voltammetric study of the anodic oxidation of the enolate carbanions of β-ketonitriles of the type {A figure is presented} has been carried out in DMSO. The variation of Eox of these species as a function of the nature of R and Z was examined. Their anodic oxidation process could be identified by analysis of the voltamperometric curves obtained both at the rotated platinum electrode and at the stationary electrode. Cyclic voltammetry has confirmed that this is an ec overall irreversible provess. The electrochemical reaction e yielding a neutral radical is followed by the very fast dimerization (second-order chemical reaction C). The formation of different kinds of dimers, depending on the nature of the oxidized enolates, has been observed during controlled potential electrolysis. © 1979 Elsevier Sequoia S.A.