Electrochemical reduction of polyaromatic compounds

The electrochemical hydrogenation of several polycyclic aromatic compounds was investigated in aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydroxide electrolytes at different concentrations. Appropriate electrochemical conditions were determined on the basis of polarization curves, and electrolyses were there-after carried out at different cathodes, Hg, Pb, Zn and graphite. It was found that anthracene as a model compound can be reduced in a divided cell into 9,10-dihydroanthracene, not only on Hg, but also on other electrodes. At low current density more than 90% conversion can be reached. Octahydroanthracene was produced only at the mercury electrode. The possibility of electrochemical reduction of phenanthrene, fluoranthene and fluorene was also investigated.Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.