A comparative study of organic electron transfer redox mediators: electron transfer kinetics for triarylimidazole and triarylamine mediators in the oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol

The triarylimidazoles (TAIs) constitute a promising class of organic electron transfer redox mediators that have been used to achieve indirect electrochemical C-H bonds activation and functionalization. Herein we report the diffusion and electron transfer rates for the oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol using TAI and compare its electrochemical behavior with that of tris(4-bromophenyl)amine (TBPA). The results contribute to our understanding of the electron transfer process of electrocatalytic oxidation using TAIs, and offer useful guidelines for their further development and use.