The electrochemical reduction of 2-nitrobenzidine (I) has been investigated in N,N-dimethylformamide solutions. Two well-defined polarographic waves in the ratio 1:3 were obtained. The first wave was found to be a reversible, diffusion-controlled, single electron wave while the second was the result of a diffusion-controlled, irreversible, three-electron process with chemical complications. The nitro and nitroso anion radical intermediates of I formed during the CPE experiments were detected by an ESR technique and confirmed later by cyclic voltammetry. The "current oscillations" observed in the cyclic voltammograms of I are discussed. An eece-type of sequence is suggested for I reduction leading to the formation of 2-hydroxylaminobenzidine. © 1984.