Abstract
The photocurrents of mercury in contact with CO2, HCOOH and CH3Cl solutions are analyzed. The CO[graphic omitted] radical anion is oxidized at potentials anodic to –1.3 V against N.C.E. and is completely reduced in a 1-electron process at sufficiently cathodic potentials. A proton donor is involved in the reduction process and there is a change in the reduction mechanism when going from neutral to acid solutions. The photocurrents for formic acid solutions in the presence of HCOO ions are interpreted and the indirect formation of CO[graphic omitted] is inferred. Methyl radicals are found to be reduced in a 1-electron process at potentials cathodic to –1.5 V and cannot be oxidized on a mercury electrode. The range of electrode potential stability for these radicals is discussed in relation to electrosynthetic processes.

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