Abnormal Decomposition Potentials Reconsidered—A Corrected Treatment

Cynthia G. Zoski
Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
Allen J. Bard
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
J. Chem. Educ., 2000, 77 (4), p 526
DOI: 10.1021/ed077p526
Publication Date (Web): April 1, 2000
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

The concept of "abnormal decomposition potential" as described by Liang et al. (J. Chem. Educ. 1999, 76, 444) is imprecise and of little relevance in modern electrochemistry. Complete current-potential curves can be calculated and they show why such decomposition potentials are smaller than standard potentials. Disproportionation reactions are not needed to explain this phenomenon, which is the natural consequence of current-vs-potential behavior, and are of little importance in understanding the redox chemistry of halogen acids at concentrations at or above 10-3 M levels.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Textbooks / Reference Books

Keywords (Subject):

Aqueous Solution Chemistry
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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