Electrochemical reduction of 1,2-Di(p-tolylimino)ethane and 1,2-Di(2,4-dimethylphenylimino)ethane in dimethylformamide

1,2-Di(p-tolylimino)ethane (1) and 1,2-Di(2,4-dimethylphenylimino)ethane (11) were synthesized and their electrochemical behavior investigated in dimethylformamide using classical voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, controlled potential electrolysis and coulometry. Both bis-Schiff base ligands examined show a cathodic irreversible peak which corresponds to one-electron reduction of, the substrate to form anion radical. According to the fact obtained from cyclic voltammetry, that the current function (i(p)/v(1/2)) is a decreasing function of the scan rate, it can be concluded that there is a following coupling chemical reaction (EC mechanism). Thus, the most probable mechanism of electroreduction of both ligands is the coupling of two radicals to form a dimer.