Preparative Electrosynthesis of Strong Oxidizers at Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode in Anhydrous HF

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 25; no. 19; pp. 4927 - 4930
• Main Authors: Połczyński, Piotr, Jurczakowski, Rafał, Grzelak, Adam, Goreshnik, Evgeny, Mazej, Zoran, Grochala, Wojciech
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Boron; Chemistry; Diamonds; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Fluorine; Hydrogen fluoride; hydrogen fluorides; Impedance; Impedance spectroscopy; Oxidation; oxidizers; Oxidizing agents; silver; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; silver; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; boron; hydrogen fluorides; oxidizers
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201806274

The use of the boron‐doped diamond electrode as a sufficiently stable electrode for electrochemical measurements/synthesis in liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride medium is reported. Electrooxidation of silver(I) has been studied in this solvent by using classical transient electrochemical methods and impedance spectroscopy. It has been found that faradaic currents related to silver(I) oxidation and the fluorine evolution reaction are reasonably separated at the potential scale, which allows efficient electrosynthesis of AgIIF2, a powerful oxidizer. Impedance spectroscopy measurements provide insight into complex mechanism of AgF2 formation. The procedure for electrosynthesis is provided for the first time in both galvanostatic and potentiostatic condition. Boron‐doped diamonds: The first electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies in anhydrous HF have been conducted to understand the reactions taking place during electrochemical oxidation of AgI to AgII. Preparative electrosynthesis of dark brown AgF2 magnetic semiconductor was successfully carried out in both galvanostatic and potentiostatic condition (see scheme).