quinhydrone electrode
Quick Summary
The quinhydrone electrode is a tool used in chemistry to determine the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. It consists of a platinum wire immersed in a solution that contains quinhydrone.1
Quinhydrone itself is a compound formed from equal amounts of p-benzoquinone and hydroquinone. Quinones are a class of organic compounds with a specific ring structure containing carbonyl groups. p-Benzoquinone, a common example, can be reversibly reduced to hydroquinone in acidic solutions. This reaction generates an electrical potential that varies with the hydrogen ion concentration, making the quinhydrone electrode a useful indicator. Hydroquinone is also known for its use as a photographic developing agent.2
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