Elucidation of the Electrochemical Oxidation Pathway of Ammonia in Dimethylformamide and the Room Temperature Ionic Liquid, 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

✍ Scribed by Marisa C. Buzzeo; Debora Giovanelli; Nathan S. Lawrence; Christopher Hardacre; Kenneth R. Seddon; Richard G. Compton

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 216 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1040-0397
• DOI: 10.1002/elan.200302910

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The direct electrochemical oxidation of ammonia has been examined in both the organic solvent dimethylformamide (DMF) and the room temperature ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [EMIM][N(Tf)~2~]. The corresponding voltammetric responses have been shown to be similar in each solvent with a broad oxidative wave occurring upon the introduction of ammonia to the solution and the appearance of a new reductive wave following the oxidation. The oxidative reaction process has been examined and a suitable reaction pathway has been deduced, corresponding to the formation of ammonium cations after oxidation of the ammonia. A linear response of limiting current against vol% ammonia was observed in both DMF and [EMIM][N(Tf)~2~], suggesting potential application for analytical methods.