Electrode reactions and electroanalysis of organomercury compounds

Characteristic features of mechanisms and kinetics of electrode reactions of organomercury compounds (symmetrical, non-symmetrical) and organomercury salts on a mercury electrode are analyzed. Attention is focused on the effect of coordination, adsorption and the nature and properties of intermediates on these processes as well as on the formation of organomercury derivatives in the adsorption of organic and hetero-organic compounds on a mercury electrode. The kinetics of heterogeneous chemical equilibrium "organic calomel"–symmetrical organomercury compound in the adsorption layer and the relative stability of intermediates in the one-electron reduction of organomercury salts are discussed as well as the electrolytic hydrogen evolution catalyzed by organomercury intermediates. The problems of combined and separate electrochemical quantitation of organic and inorganic mercury compounds in natural objects are considered.