Energetics of the Sequential Electroreduction and Electrooxidation Steps of Benzenoid Hydrocarbons

Abstract The first and second reduction (E1⁄2.1red, E1⁄2.2red) and the first oxidation (E1⁄2.1oxd) standard potentials of benzenoid alternant hydrocarbons (BAH) were experimentally determined by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) in nonaqueous solvents. The second standard oxidation potential (E1⁄2.2oxd) was however, estimated by checking the scan rate dependence of the irreversible CV curve. The equations pertinent to these potentials and their mutual relations were formulated from the points of view of the Born–Haber-type thermodynamic energy cycle and SCFMO calculations. Of the SCFMO calculations, the MO-paring property established in the PPP-type π-electron theory was very successful in the discussion of the equations given above. Under the acceptable assumptions that the solvation energies due to mono- and dications are put equal to those of the mono- and dianions respectively, and using the MO-pairing property, the equation of (E1⁄2.1oxd+E1⁄2.1red)=(E1⁄2.2oxd+E1⁄2.2red) was derived. The experimental results were well described by this equation. The solvationenergy values were evaluated by applying the experimentally determined reduction or oxidation potentials to the theoretical equations. An examination of the solvation energies has shown that these values can be interpreted by means of the Born-type equation.