ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF DIOXYGEN ACTIVATION IN THE PRESENCE OF ADENINE

The electrochemical behavior of dioxygen in the presence of adenine in dimethylformamide solution on the Hg electrode is studied. Evidence f or the activation of O-2 is given by the shift of 150 mV towards more positive values of the one-electron reduction, accompanied by the auto oxidation of adenine, while the adsorption of O-2 is shown by the char acteristics of a polarographic pre-wave and voltammetric peak. The act ivation of O-2 is attributed to the interaction with adenine co-adsorb ed on the Hg electrode. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights rese rved.