ANODIC-OXIDATION OF MERCURY IN THE PRESENCE OF THIOETHER ACIDS .2. 2,2'-THIOBISACETIC ACID AND 3,3'-THIOBISPROPANOIC ACID

The anodic oxidation of mercury in the presence of 2,2 prime -thiobisacetic and 3,3 prime -thiobispropanoic acids has been studied by dc//r, dp, ac//1 and ac//2 polarography, cyclic voltammetry and coulometry. The electrode processes include the overall formation of the HgL//2**2** minus complexes, through the disproportionation of the related Hg(I) complexes. The stability of the 2,2 prime -thiobisacetato complex is higher than that of the 3,3 prime -thiobispropanoato one, in accordance with what is to be expected from the molecular structure of both thioether acids. New polarographic methods for both thioether acids determination are proposed.