A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE INHIBITED ELECTROREDUCTION OF ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS IN ANHYDROUS SOLVENTS AT HIGH ELECTRODE COVERAGES BY NEUTRAL SURFACTANTS - THE REDUCTION OF AZOBENZENE IN METHANOL AS A MODEL REACTION

The kinetics of the electroreduction of azobenzene in methanol in the presence of saturated phosphinoxide monolayers have been studied by polarographic means. The determination of the size factors shows that the activated complex does not incorporate the surfactant molecules, even at full coverage. This is also confirmed by the consideration of interfacial interactions. Indications are also obtained in favour of the inner-sphere character of the electron transfers. © 1990.