ABSTRACT The electrode reduction mechanism of (E)=phenyl-2-nitro-l-propene (PNP) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has been studied by polarographic, cyclic voltammetric, and rotating disk techniques. The compound is reduced in two polarographic steps in DMF and DMF-water solutions. Data taken at potentials of the first polarographic plateau suggest that the compound is reduced to a product via a mechanism involving coupling of the ion radicals of the precursor. The rate of the coupling reaction has been studied as a function of concentration of the PNP and water content of the solvent. Oscilloscopic recording of rapid cyclic voltammetry experiments demonstrate that the second polarographic step represents a two-electron reduction of the parent compound, PNP
