A Simple Method Based on NMR Spectroscopy and Ultramicroelectrode Voltammetry for the Determination of the Number of Electrons in Faradaic Processes

A new, convenient method to determine the number of electrons (n) involved in a faradaic process was demonstrated using a series of four compounds containing two, three, four, and eight equivalent ferrocene centers. The method takes advantage of pulse gradient stimulated echo (PGSE) NMR spectroscopy to determine the diffusion coefficient (Do) of the electroactive species. The value of n is subsequently determined from the steady-state limiting current (iL) measured on a disk ultramicroelectrode.