On Choosing Ferrocene as an Internal Reference Redox Scale for Voltammetric Measurements: A Cautionary Tale

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DOI: 10.23880/macij-16000151

Volume 3, Issue 4

Abstract

Internal reference redox scales or internal reference redox systems, IRRS, are reversible or nearly reversible redox systems used to provide a known and stable reference point in non-aqueous solvents in conditions where reliable reference electrodes are difficult to be established and/or stabilized. In general, the IRRS is used in conjunction with quasi-reference electrodes. They have a long story, which began with the concept of Rb|Rb+ or Rb(Hg)|Rb+, followed by the use of organometallic redox couples. In order to limit the number of redox systems used as IRRS and then made easier the comparison, IUPAC recommended in 1983 that the systems ferrocene|ferrocenium, Fc0/+, and bis(biphenyl)chromium(0)|bis(biphenyl)chromium(I), BCr0/+, need to be used as internal reference redox systems in non-aqueous media. These two complexes were selected arbitrarily from several published redox systems.

Keywords: IRRS; Stabilized; Redox System; Non-Aqueous

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