Some Prospects for Electrocatalysis Applications in Electroanalytical Chemistry

This contribution focuses on some recent applications of electrocatalysis in stripping voltammetry. Special reference is made to some compounds that are not amenable to the detection by a direct electron transfer reaction. As a first example, ligand-catalyzed metal ion reduction on a mercury electrode is dealt with . Electrocatalysis of Ni(II) or Co(II) reduction by compounds like cysteine and its derivatives as well as other thiolic derivatives enables the sensitive detection of the ligand itself after performing the preconcentration as an adsorbed Ni(II) complex or as a mercury thiolate. Second, catalytic hydrogen evolution in the presence of Co(II) proved to be suitable for the determination of sulfide ion at the trace level a. The same electrode process can be employed for the determination of some sulfur organic derivatives that generate sulfide ions by a chemical reaction during the pre-concentration step on a mercury electrode.