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The Viologens are diquaternary derivatives of 4,4'-bipyridyl. The name comes from the fact that this class of compounds is easily reduced to the radical mono cation, which is intensely blue coloured. In an experimental electrolysis setup viologen in solution with sodium sulfate is reduced at the cathode with simultaneous formation of hydrogen gas. oxygen generated at the anode is capable of oxidizing the radical ion back to the viologen.