Ion insertion into ionic liquid supported toluene generated by electrochemical redox reaction

Ion transfer across the toluene|water, toluene–ionic liquid mixture|water and ionic liquid|water boundary generated by electrochemical redox reaction of tert-butylferrocene (tBuFc) was studied with the glassy carbon (GC) electrode partially covered by the organic liquid deposit and immersed in the aqueous electrolyte solution. The electrooxidation of the redox probe in toluene deposit is followed by ejection of newly formed cation into the aqueous solution. The same reaction in the toluene–ionic liquid deposit promotes anion insertion. This pathway is also found at the electrode modified with ionic liquid.