Electrochemical behaviour of 9-methylcaffeinium iodide and in situ electrochemical synthesis of hymeniacidin
9-Methylcaffeinium iodide, a bio-based salt obtained by reaction of caffeine with methyl iodide, is an imidazolium salt. The electrochemical behaviour of 9-methylcaffeinium iodide was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrolysis. Its behaviour revealed to be very similar to that of common imidazolium salts. In fact, its cathodic reduction yielded the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbene, which was evidenced by its reaction products with dioxygen and with sulfur, although in low amounts.