Electrochemical oxidation of substituted benzylamines in aquo-acetic acid medium: substituent and solvent effects

Electrochemical oxidation of nine para- and meta-substituted benzylamines in varying mole fractions of acetic acid in water has been investigated in the presence of 0,1 M sulphuric acid as supporting electrolyte. The oxidation potentials correlate well with Hammett’s substituent constants affording negative reaction constants. The correlation of potential values with macroscopic solvent parameters is non-linear suggesting that the operation of both specific and non-specific solvent–solvent–solute interaction mechanisms. Multiple correlation analysis of the experimental data with Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic parameters is employed.