Redox behaviour of octaethylcorrole free base [H3OEC]: unexpected generation of the protonated species [H4OEC]+ through electrochemical oxidation

Octaethylcorrole (H3OEC) has been studied electrochemically in methylene chloride. In contrast with what is commonly observed in tetrapyrrolic macrocycles, no radical cation was detected after a one-electron oxidation. Instead, the protonated species [H4OEC]+ was obtained. [H4OEC]+ was easily converted back to the initial corrole by electrochemical reduction.