Electrochemical oxidation of anthracenes on poly(vinylferrocenium) coated pt electrodes in acetonitrile

Abstract The electrooxidation behaviour of anthracene and 9,10‐diphenylanthracene on poly(vinylferrocenium) coated Pt electrodes was investigated and compared with that on uncoated Pt surface using cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile/0.1 M TBAP solutions. IR spectroscopy was used to detect the changes occurring in the structure after the electrode reaction. The formation of the quinone and hydroxy substituted type products was revealed if the electrode potential was cycled between + 1.50 and 0.00 V. The catalytic oxidation of anthracene rings were observed if the potential cycling was kept between + 1.50 V and −2.30 V.