Voltammetric and Quantum Investigation of Selected Succinimides

A series of succinimide derivatives were studied using the cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Density function theory was used in order to determinate which of the structural parameters influence the electrochemical activity. The quantum chemical calculations of the investigated succinimides were linked with the experimental electrochemical data and used to propose the oxidation mechanism. The most active among studied succinimides is 1,3-diphenylsuccinimide. The results obtained from the cyclic and square wave voltammetry and quantum chemical calculations indicate that the investigated compounds undergo oxidation by irreversible, diffusion controlled process including transfer of 1e(-) and 1 proton. The voltammetric and DFT results signify that the mechanism of electrochemical oxidation of all compounds involve the conversion of carbonyl-methyne-phenyl segment or methylene group in free radical. This conversion proceeds by the loss of one proton one electron process