Redox behaviour of anti-tumor platinum (II) compounds (carboplatin) at solid electrodes

The electroactivity of a cytostatic complex of platinum (II) possessing no halide ligand (carboplatin) has been studied in aqueous media using platinum and carbon paste electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry has been conducted in order to elucidate the redox behaviour of carboplatin as a function of chloride concentration. Reduction was not observed although oxidation was detected. The nature of the compounds formed during the electro-oxidation was directly related to free chloride ions. At the carbon paste electrode, the reduction of the oxidized species occurred in two steps with the formation of cis-platinum structures and a subsequent electrodeposition of platinum particles. The surface modification step at the carbon paste electrode has demonstrated electrocatalytic properties of the electrode towards platinum (II) complexes possessing halide ligands in their structures. Electrodeposition of platinum ions at a platinum electrode surface as well as a judicious choice of working parameters allows quantitative determinations in the concentration range 3 x 10(-4) - 1 x 10(-5) M.