Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : The electrochemical characteristics of 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (2-FPTS) have been studied by direct current, alternating current, and differential pulse polarography and cyclic voltammetry at a mercury electrode. This new cytostatic agent is reduced in a two-electron irreversible step at the nitrogen double bond of the side chain, in the pH range 0.2-12. A double anodic wave very close to the oxidation wave of mercury, corresponding to the formation of an organo-mercury compound, develops in neutral and alkaline media. These different electrochemical reactions are complicated by adsorption. In alkaline media, the carbon-nitrogen double bond reduction current decreases progressively with increasing pH due to formation of an electrochemically inactive species. Finally, a catalytic reduction wave of protons is developed in neutral solutions. Quantitative determination of the compound was possible in the range 1×10-7 to 1×10-3 M, using the diffusion controlled reduction wave at pH 7. The qualitative detection limit is 2×10-8 M (4 ng/ml). © 1981 Springer-Verlag.