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Abstract

The electroreduction of neutral aqueous solutions of 0.1 - 0.5 M Et₄NBF₄ on a mercury cathode at room temperature at -2.8 - -2.4 V produces a black precipitate of Et₄N . Hg_x with simultaneous evolution of hydrogen (the pH value increases to 12). No anodic oxidation of the amalgam has been observed in the interval of 0 - 2.8 V. The composition of the precipitate, collected by filtration under nitrogen, has been determined from the decrease of Et₄N⁺ in the solution after electrolysis and from analysis of mercury in the binary compound Et₄N . Hg_x. The value x = 2.9 ± 0.8 has been found.