A new cobalt complex of 1-decyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole: synthesis, characterization and electrocatalysis

• Published in: Transition metal chemistry (Weinheim) 2010-04, Vol.35 (3), p.315-320
• Main Authors: Zhuang, Rui Rui, Jian, Fang Fang, Wang, KeFei, Xiao, HaiLian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Inorganic Chemistry; Organometallic Chemistry; Physical Chemistry
• ISSN: 0340-4285; 1572-901X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11243-010-9329-2

The present work reports on the synthesis, characterization and performance of a new cobalt(II) complex, [Co(C 10 H 21 -bim) 2 (SCN) 2 ] (bim = benzimidazole) as electrocatalyst for trichloroacetic acid and bromate reduction. Its structure was characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The cobalt atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry by coordinating to four nitrogen atoms from two thiocyanates and two 1-decyl-1 H -benzo[ d ]imidazole ligands. The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalysis of the title complex bulk-modified carbon paste electrode (Co-CPE) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The Co-CPE shows good electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and bromate. The detection limit and the sensitivity are 0.02 μM, 34.63 μA μM −1 for trichloroacetic acid detection, and 0.03 μM, 78.92 μA μM −1 for bromate detection, respectively. This modified electrode shows good reproducibility, high stability, low detection limit, technical simplicity and possibility of rapid preparation, which is important for practical application.