The electrochemical reduction of alpha-nitrocumene in a protic and basic medium on large surface area (porous) electrodes: electronation-protonation or electrocatalytic hydrogenation?

The electrochemical reduction of alpha-nitrocumene (1) has been investigate d under controlled potential, at a mercury pool cathode and at Raney metal (Raney nickel, Raney cobalt and Devarda copper) and fractal nickel electrod es in basic aqueous ethanol. A comparison of the product distribution from the reduction at Hg (electronation-protonation (EP) mechanism) and that fro m the reduction at Raney metals and fractal nickel has shown that both the electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) and EP mechanisms can be involved at l arge surface area (porous) transition metal electrodes in a basic protic me dium. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the reduction potential of 1 at Hg and at bright polycrystalline nickel, cobalt, and copper cathodes in the same medium.