Abstract
The reduction of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to its anion radicals on glassy carbon has been studied using in situ FTIR spectroscopy. In contrast to its adsorption behavior on a platinum electrode, TCNE was found to adsorb on a carbon surface not only as the dianion but also as the tricyanovinyl alcoholate (TVA) ion. A mechanism for the formation of the TVA ion involving the presence of surface functional groups on the carbon electrode is proposed.