Cationic catalysis and hidden negative differential resistance in reduction of radical anion of nitrobenzene

Well-known reduction of nitrobenzene in acetonitrile yields an anion radical, which is further reduced at more negative potentials. The reduction of anion radical is strongly influenced by the nature of tetraalkylammonium salts (tetramethyl- to tetraheptylammonium) used as supporting electrolytes. At low concentration of tetrahexylammonium hexafluorophosphate the anion radical reduction occurs at extremely negative potential, however, traces of alkali metal cations yield a remarkable acceleration effect. At potentials where alkali metal cations are reduced the acceleration ceases. As a result the current–potential curves show negative or hidden negative slope. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy sensitively indicates the presence of the negative differential resistance (NDR) or the hidden negative differential resistance (HNDR). Oscillatory behavior based on this type of cationic catalysis is currently under investigation.