Electrochemistry of azocrown ethers in Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers

Monomolecular films of amphiphilic derivatives of crown ethers bearing an a zo group in the macrocycle were prepared on surfaces of pure water and tran sferred onto electrodes using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The azocompo unds studied were separated into Z and E stereoisomers. Monolayers of both isomers of azocrowns were transferred onto the surfaces of hydrophilic (thi n mercury film electrode, TMFE) and hydrophobic (indium-tin oxide, ITO) ele ctrodes. The electrode processes showed more reversible cyclic voltammetry profiles when mercury was used instead of ITO as the electrode substrate. T his difference was ascribed to the different orientation of the molecules o n the electrode surface.