The Controlled Potential Reduction of Crystal Violet and Brilliant Green at the Stirred Mercury Cathode

Abstract

THE application of controlled potential coulometry to the electroreduction of the triphenylmethane dyestuffs crystal violet and brilliant green is described below. The polarographic work by Kaye and Stonehill (1952) indicated that, like the aminoacridines previously examined (Wilson, Butler, Ingle and Taylor, 1960), these were reduced in two stages each involving the uptake of one electron. The aim of the present work was to seek confirmation of this by direct measurement of the quantities of electricity involved in the reduction of a known amount of dyestuff.