The electrochemical reductions of some recently synthesized 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivatives in acetonitrile were investigated. In the absence of proton donors, the anthraquinones reduced in two successive one-electron steps. The first step is reversible or nearly reversible, while the second step is quasireversible or irreversible, depending on the electrode used. The influence of molecular structure on the reduction potential is addressed. The diffusion coefficients of the anthraquinone derivatives were determined from chronoamperometric measurements on the GC, Au and Pt electrodes. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants and charge transfer diffusion coefficients were evaluated from rotating disc voltammetry measurements. Dependence of the rate constants on the anthraquinone structure and the electrode.
