Electrochemical reduction of 2-ethyl-9,10-anthraquinoneon reticulated vitreous carbon and mediated formationof hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide formation by the intermediate electroreduction of 2-ethylanthraquinone (EAQ) has been examined. The medium used for this preparative electrolysis was dimethoxyethane (DME) with tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEATFB) salt as supporting electrolyte in the presence of a small percentage of water. In this process EAQ is reduced on a reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) cathode in the presence of oxygen. It has been demonstrated that in this medium, the presence of EAQ enhances the hydrogen peroxide formation when compared to the direct reduction of oxygen in the same medium. The influence of EAQ on the oxygen reduction has also been examined by cyclic voltammetry on a vitreous carbon cathode