NEW RESULTS IN THE ELECTROOXIDATION OF FORMALDEHYDE ON A PLATINUM-ELECTRODE IN AN ACID-MEDIUM

The oxidation of formaldehyde in perchloric acid solutions has been in vestigated by cyclic voltammetry and electromodulated infrared reflect ance spectroscopy (EMIRS). The results show that the hydration-dehydra tion equilibrium of formaldehyde plays an important role in the format ion of the strongly bonded layer. The CO species are detected by EMIR spectra in the linearly bonded, bridge-bonded and multibonded configur ations. It is shown that the methanol present in formaldehyde solution s as stabilizer increases the rate of CO formation. CO is adsorbed fir st in the bridge-bonded form, and then high coverages favour the linea r structure. An aldehydic carbonyl band is found which must be involve d in the formation of the CO layer. Bands corresponding to carbonyl ac id groups are found and are attributed to reactive intermediates.