Polarographic Reduction and Determination of 1,2-Dibromoethane in Aqueous Solutions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ac00122a011

The electrochemical reduction of 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) in aqueous solution has been studied with dc, normal pulse, and reverse pulse polarography, voltammetry, and coulometry.The reduction mechanism involves slow two-electron transfer with fast displacement of bromide leading to formation of ethene.Results of detailed RPP investigations in neutral and slightly acid solutions suggest that the final products are formed through a carbanion intermediate.EDB can be determined directly from the limiting reduction current or indirectly from the limiting current for the anodic oxidation of mercury in the presence of the reduction product, bromide .The detection limit is ca. 1 μM.The method is used to determine the solubility of EDB in water, which was found to be 3.1 mg/g of H₂O.