Role of allyl alcohol and sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulphonate in the electrooxidation of phenol

Abstract The effect of addition of unsaturated organic compounds was examined on the electrooxidation reaction of phenol on platinum electrode dissolved them in different concentrations. When concentration of allyl alcohol in acetonitrile was comparable with that of phenol voltammograms of the latter were not affected by the other one only if it was dissolved in high excess and peak currents reached a maximum. Results with sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulphonate in aqueous solution were similar but more complicated. However, this compound itself was capable of electropolymerization increasing its concentration the peak currents of phenol increased continuously resulting in suppression of electrode fouling.