Electrocatalytic oxidation of thiocyanate, l-cysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol by self-assembled monolayer of cobalt tetraethoxy thiophene phthalocyanine

Catalytic activity of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of cobalt tetra ethoxythiophene phthalocyanine (CoTEThPc-SAM) complex towards oxidation of thiocyanate (SCN−), l-cysteine (CYS) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) is reported. The oxidation of thiocyanate occurs via a two electron transfer, whereas l-cysteine and 2-ME require 1 electron. The oxidation of thiocyanate is catalysed by ring based processes, while l-cysteine is catalysed by both CoIII/CoII process and by ring based processes. 2-ME is catalysed by CoIII/CoII process. The oxidation of thiocyanate on CoTEThPc was performed in acid media instead of basic media commonly employed. The reaction order was found to be unity for all the analytes, showing that only one molecule of analyte interacts with one molecule of the catalyst during the rate determining step.