THE CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRIC BEHAVIOR OF 4,4'-BIPYRIDINE OVER MERCURY IN AN ACID-MEDIUM

In an aqueous acid medium, 4,4'-bipyridine (BPH22+) may give up to fiv e voltammetric reduction peaks, depending on its concentration and the presence or absence of a surfactant. This paper discusses such voltam metric peaks and assigns them to the electrode processes from which th ey originate. If the voltammetric scan is reversed when the most negat ive potential in the voltammogram is reached, only three of the previo usly observed peaks are reversible, depending on the final potential. Also, up to two inverted current peaks tie, reduction peaks) are obser ved in the scan to positive potentials. Plausible mechanisms accountin g for such inverted peaks are put forward in the paper.