Electrochemical Study on the Coumarin Derivatives

The electrochemical reduction of coumarin derivatives in 0.1M TEAP acetonitrile solution was investigated by the direct current, differential pulse polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. The electrochemical reduction of 7-acetoxy-4-bromomethyl-coumarin(ABMC) was proceeded as an irreversible three steps(-0.58, -1.63 and -2.25 volts) of electrochemical transfer before chemical reaction. The solution color turned to yellow after the carboxyl group was reduced at 2nd step(-1.63 volts vs. Ag-AgCl) and the change in color was independant to the bromo group. Upon the basis of the results on the products analysis and the interpretaton of polarograms, a possible electrochemical reaction mechanism was suggested.