Reduction of indium(III) at dropping mercury electrode in the presence of pyridine in aqueous and ethanol–water media

Abstract

The reduction of indium(III) at dropping mercury electrode in aqueous as well as in 25% ethanol–water media in the presence of pyridine has been studied at a constant ionic strength (0.1 M KNO3) and at 30 and 40 °C. The reduction is diffusion-controlled but the electrode process is quasi-reversible in both media. The reversible half-wave potential values,E1/2r, have been obtained by Gelling’s method. The plot ofE1/2r versus pyridine concentration is a straight line and the number of ligands,j, was determined from the slope. This shows the formation of a single complex. The stability constant has been determined by Lingane’s method. In(III) forms one complex species with composition 1:1, [In(py)]3+. The values of thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔHand ΔSof the complexation reaction have also been determined at 30 °C.