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Summary
Trimethoprim undergoes irreversible electrochemical reduction, consuming four electrons per molecule. This process involves the pyrimidine ring
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Trimethoprim is an antibiotic.
- Electrochemical methods offer sensitive detection of pharmaceuticals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrochemical behavior of trimethoprim.
- To establish quantitative analytical methods for trimethoprim.
Main Methods:
- Direct current (dc) polarography with a dropping-mercury electrode.
- Cyclic voltammetry with a rotated gold disk electrode.
- Coulometric analysis.
Main Results:
- Well-defined, irreversible polarographic reduction waves were observed for trimethoprim in acidic and buffered solutions with 25% ethanol.
- Limiting currents were directly proportional to trimethoprim concentration (5.10(-5) to 10(-3)M).
- Coulometry indicated a four-electron reduction process, involving cleavage of amino groups.
- Anodic oxidation waves were observed in acetonitrile.
Conclusions:
- Electrochemical reduction of trimethoprim is a complex process involving the pyrimidine moiety and amino groups.
- Polarography provides a reliable method for quantitative analysis of trimethoprim.
- Further electrochemical studies can elucidate trimethoprim's metabolic pathways.