Elucidation of the Electrochemical Oxidation Pathway of Ammonia in Dimethylformamide and the Room Temperature Ionic Liquid, 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

Abstract The direct electrochemical oxidation of ammonia has been examined in both the organic solvent dimethylformamide (DMF) and the room temperature ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [EMIM][N(Tf) 2 ]. The corresponding voltammetric responses have been shown to be similar in each solvent with a broad oxidative wave occurring upon the introduction of ammonia to the solution and the appearance of a new reductive wave following the oxidation. The oxidative reaction process has been examined and a suitable reaction pathway has been deduced, corresponding to the formation of ammonium cations after oxidation of the ammonia. A linear response of limiting current against vol% ammonia was observed in both DMF and [EMIM][N(Tf) 2 ], suggesting potential application for analytical methods.