A MECHANISTIC STUDY ON 3-ARYLAZOPENTANE-2,4-DIONES AND SOME OF ITS DERIVATIVES AT A HANGING MERCURY DROP ELECTRODE

The polarographic reduction of 3-arylazopentane-2,4-diones has been in vestigated in 40% ethanolic B.R. buffer series (pH 2.6-11.7) at mercur y cathode, In all pH values four electrons are involved in the reducti on cleavge of N=N center followed by reduction of one of the carbonyl groups present In the examined compounds by two electrons confirmed by controlled potential electrolysis. However, the voltammograms of thes e compounds display a single irreversible cathodic peak over the entir e pH range. The different kinetic parameters of the electron transfer process are evaluated where possible using convolution, deconvolution analysis of the recorded cyclic voltammetric date often combined with digital simulation studies.