Evidence for the Reversible Stepwise Polarographic Reduction of Pyrazine from Strong Acid Media

Abstract

The direct and alternating current polarography of pyrazine has been re-examined. Evidence shows that the aromatic 1,4-diazine is reduced stepwise from strong acid, and the added resolving power afforded by the a.c. technique indicates that such a mechanism may prevail up to pH 4.5. Controlled potential electrolysis of pyrazine at pH 1 produced an intense violet color whose spectral characteristics and time instability suggest the presence of an acid-stabilized radical.