title: Mechanism of electroreduction of the Henry reaction products. Electrochemically initiated degradation of 1-phenyl-2-nitroethanol.
abstract: Electroreduction of the Henry reaction product - i.e. 1-phenyl-2-nitroethanol (PNE) - in 0.1 M Bu(4)NClO(4) solution in MeCN has been investigated by a set of experimental (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and controlled potential electrolysis) and theoretical (digital simulation and quantum chemical calculations) methods. The results obtained show that cathodically generated radical anion of PNE undergoes C-C bond cleavage reaction resulting in the formation of the free radical of benzyl alcohol and nitromethane anion. The proton transfer between these species affords nitromethane and benzaldehyde radical anion. Electron transfer from the last to PNE initiates the cyclic process of the PNE degradation.
authors.forename: Andrey S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mendkovich
authors.forename: Darya V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Ranchina
authors.forename: Mikhail A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Syroeshkin
authors.forename: Dmitry V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Demchuk
authors.forename: Mikhail N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mikhailov
authors.forename: Mikhail N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Elinson
authors.forename: Vadim P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Gul'tyai
authors.forename: Alexander I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Rusakov