Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Vol.399, No.1-2, 141-146, 1995
Ed Mechanisms - Electrodimerization of N’-Methyl Nicotinamide on Mercury-Electrodes in Aqueous-Solutions
The electrodimerization of the NAD(+) model compound N’-methyl nicotinamide has been studied in aqueous media in the pH range 4-11 by direct current and differential pulse polarography and linear-sweep cyclic voltammetry. Tafel slopes and reaction orders were obtained from I-E curves traced at potentials corresponding to the foot of the polarographic wave. Controlled-potential electrolysis indicated that at : pH 5 and 8 one electron is transferred per reactant molecule and a dimer must be obtained. The reduction pathways consisted of the reversible transfer of one electron, preceded by the transfer of either two (first wave) or one (second wave) H+ ions, followed by an irreversible electrodimerization which was the rate-determining step, in agreement with that which occurs in the reduction of other model compounds and the NAD(+) coenzyme itself at these pH values. The dimerization reaction is a radical-radical coupling taking place in the reaction layer.
Keywords:ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATION;BEHAVIOR