RECHARGE OF OXALATE COMPLEXES OF RUTHENIUM(III) FROM SOLUTIONS WITH AN EXCESS OF SUPPORTING ELECTROLYTE

Kinetics and mechanism pertaining to electroreduction of trioxalate co mplexes of ruthenium(III) are studied by the polarography techniques. It is established that electrochemical reduction of trioxalate complex es of ruthenium(III) on a dropping mercury electrode in solutions cont aining an excess of a supporting electrolyte occurs under reversible c onditions in accordance with the reaction [Ru(C2O4)(3)](3-) + e <--> [ Ru(C2O4)(3)](4-). The recharge process starts virtually at the point o f zero charge of mercury and has a well-pronounced plateau of limiting current that persists for 400 mV. The latter creates favorable condit ions for the emergence of the so-called Psi(1) effect in the system un der study upon its dilution with respect to the supporting electrolyte .