Comparative study on the multielectron reduction of HOC2H4N3 catalyzed by [NBun4]4[MoFe3S4(SPh)3(o-O2C6Cl4)]2- and [NBun4]2[Fe4S4(SPh)4]-modified glassy carbon electrodes

Abstract

Both [NBuⁿ₄]₄[MoFe₂S₄(SPh)₃(o-O₂C₆Cl₄)]₂- and [NBuⁿ₄]₂[Fe₄S₄(SPh)₄]-modified glassy carbon electrodes ([MoFe]/GC and [4Fe]/GC, respectively) can catalyse the multielectron reduction of HOC₂H₄N₃ to afford not only HOC₂H₄NH₂ and N₂ but also N₂H₄ and NH₃ in water. The six- and eight-electron reduction products N₂H₄ and NH₃ are formed via an unstable four-electron reduction product N₂H₂. The catalytic ability of [MoFe]/GC is much superior to that of [4Fe]/GC with respect to such multielectron reduction.