Glow Discharge Plasma Reduction of Viologen Homologues and Organic Dyes in Solid and Solvated States

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j150668a041

A variety of viologen homologues (1,1'-disubstituted 4.4'-dipyridinium ions) were reduced both in solid and in DMF solution by a radio-frequency gaseous plasma.Reduction occured very rapidly and quantitatively with plasma exposure and resulted in the corresponding cation radicals.These radicals were oxidized on exposure to air but reduced again with repeated plasma exposure indicating that the reduction is an one-electron process.In a similar manner organic compounds such as methylene blue and brilliant green were also reduced effectively by the plasma.From kinetic study and ESR measurements approximate electron concentrations responsible for the reduction in the plasma were estimated.