ELECTROCATALYSIS FOR THE REDUCTION OF O-2 AND H2O2 BASED ON COMPLEX OF COPPER(II) WITH THE TRIS(3-AMINOPROPYL)AMINE AND IMIDAZOLE LIGANDS

The Cu(II) complex of [tris(3 -aminopropyl)][imidazole]Cu(II)perchlora te was synthesized. This complex can adsorb on a pyrolytic graphite el ectrode surface where it functions as an electrocatalyst for the reduc tion of O-2 and H2O2 The electrocatalytic kinetics of both substrate r eductions were studied by cyclic voltammetric and rotating disc electr ode methods. The catalyst accomplishes the four-electron reduction of O-2 to H2O at a significantly greater rate than it catalyses the two-e lectron reduction of H2O3, so that the latter cannot be an intermediat e in the reduction of O-2.