Electrografting is an electrochemical technique in which an applied potential is used to form a covalent bond between a molecule and the surface of an electrode. This process involves the electrochemical generation of a radical from a precursor molecule, with diazonium salts being the most studied precursors. Boron containing compounds, such as boronic acids, have properties that should also make them appropriate electrografting precursors. Three boronic acids: 4-nitrophenylboronic acid, p-tolylboronic acid, and 4-tert-butylphenylboronic acid, were examined for the modification of glassy carbon electrodes. An irreversible oxidation feature was observed between 1.59 and 1.95 V vs. FeCp20/+ in the cyclic voltammograms of these boronic acids in acetonitrile. This oxidation peak disappears upon repeated potential cycling, which is consistent with film formation on the electrode surface. Development of the electrografting conditions, including choice of solvent, electrolyte, concentrations, and electrochemical method will be presented, as well as studies of the electrochemical characterization of the films and their stability.

Boronic acid electrografting precursors for the covalent modification of glassy carbon surfaces

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.