Influence of the solvent on the process of electrocatalytic reduction of pyridine

This paper investigates the influence of additions of ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and alkali on the kinetics of the electrostatic reduction of pyridine. The experiments were conducted in an electrocatalytic cell with separation of the cathodic and anodic spaces by an MK-40 ion exchange diaphragm. The electrochemical behavior of pyridine was investigated simultaneously in the presence of DMSO in a thermostatically controlled cell on a mercury electrode with forced breakoff of the drops. Skeletal nickel and cobalt were used as catalysts. It is shown that the electrocatalytic reduction of pyridine on skeletal nickel and cobalt occurs on a less active catalyst surface in alkaline alcohol medium than in alkaline aqueous medium on account of the adsorption of the solvent and the change in the activity of water.