On the mechanism of the Polarographic reduction of Oxygen

Abstract

Investigations of the A.C. and D.C. polarography of oxygen in neutral and alkaline media have shown that the reduction process is univalent and reversible. It has also been shown experimentally that hydrogen peroxide is reversibly oxidized to oxygen in the presence of alkali. In order to explain the nature of the A.C. and D.C. polarograms, thus obtained, a one electron reduction mechanism involving the hydroxyl radical and either the oxygen atom or the oxygen molecule is discussed.