The chem. redn. of anthraquinone(I) has at least 2 disadvantages on the industrial scale; therefore, an electrochem. method was developed. The electrochem. redn. of I is done in a 2-compartment cell using concd. H2SO4 (15-17 mol/dm3) as the electrolyte at the relatively low temp. of 40-60 Deg. The cathode can be Pt or Ag, and a low c.d. (<50 mA/cm2) is used. In the course of the expts., several cathode materials were tested, including Pt, Ag, Pb, graphite, Cu and Ni. [on SciFinder (R)]