Phenolcarboxylic Acids in the Reaction with Electrogenerated Hydroperoxyl Radical

Using the chronovoltammetric method, it has been shown that the reduction of oxygen on a mercury electrode in the presence of phenolcarboxylic acids in an acidic medium occurs as reversible electrode process followed by rate-limiting chemical reaction involving the hydroperoxyl radical. The rate constants of the phenolcarboxylic acids reaction with the radical have been calculated using the theory of electrode process followed by chemical reaction. The suggested reaction mechanism (electron transfer from the acid molecular form to the radical) has been confirmed by the correlation between the experimental rate constants and the ionization potentials of phenolcarboxylic acids simulated using the DFT method.