Electrode reaction of N-hydroxyphthalimide in sulfuric acid-acetonitrile mixed solution as a catalytic mediator for alcohol oxidation

The reactivity of the electro-oxidation products of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) with an aromatic alcohol, 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (MBA) in a sulfuric acid-acetonitrile mixed solution was investigated. Phthalimide N-oxyl radical (PINO·), which is produced by one-electron oxidation of NHPI, reacted with MBA in the mixed solution as well as in aprotic solvent. Further oxidation products of PINO· also reacted with MBA but the results showed complex-shaped voltamograms.