Spectroscopic investigation of the adsorbates of benzyl alcohol on palladium

The nature of the adsorbates formed when benzyl alcohol interacts with pall adium in 0.1 M HClO4 was studied via on-line differential electrochemical m ass spectroscopy (DEMS), in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (F TIR), and cyclic voltammetry. Oxidative and reductive stripping experiments , as well as adsorbate displacement by CO, render valuable information conc erning the nature of the adsorbed residues. Using isotope-labeled (C6H5CH2O H)-C-12-C-13, it was possible to discriminate the respective behavior of th e alcohol group and the aromatic ring. Adsorbate yields were found to stron gly depend on the adsorption potential. Toluene, benzene, and CO are the re sidues formed from benzyl alcohol on palladium in the hydrogen adsorption/a bsorption range, whereas the intact benzyl alcohol molecule and benzoate se em to be the main species adsorbed on a hydrogen-free electrode.