New Aspects of Protein‐film Voltammetry of Redox Enzymes Coupled to Follow‐up Reversible Chemical Reaction in Square‐wave Voltammetry

Protein‐film square‐wave voltammetry of uniformly adsorbed molecules of redox lipophilic enzymes is applied to study their electrochemical properties, when a reversible follow‐up chemical reaction is coupled to the electrochemically generated product of enzyme's electrode reaction. Theoretical consideration of this so‐called “surface ECrev mechanism” under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry has revealed several new aspects, especially by enzymatic electrode reactions featuring fast electron transfer. We show that the rate of chemical removal/resupply of electrochemically generated Red(ads) enzymatic species, shows quite specific features to all current components of calculated square‐wave voltammograms and affects the electrode kinetics. The effects observed are specific for this particular redox mechanism (surface ECrev mechanism), and they got more pronounced at high electrode kinetics of enzymatic reaction. The features of phenomena of “split net‐SWV peak” and “quasireversible maximum”, which are typical for surface redox reactions studied in square‐wave voltammetry, are strongly affected by kinetics and thermodynamics of follow‐up chemical reaction. While we present plenty of relevant voltammetric situations useful for recognizing this particular mechanism in square‐wave voltammetry, we also propose a new approach to get access to kinetics and thermodynamics of follow‐up chemical reaction. Most of the results in this work throw new insight into the features of protein‐film systems that are coupled with chemical reactions.     

Theoretical Aspects of a Surface Electrode Reaction Coupled with Preceding and Regenerative Chemical Steps: Square‐wave Voltammetry of a Surface CEC’ Mechanism

Large number of lipophilic substances, whose electrochemical transformation takes place from adsorbed state, belong to the class of so‐called “surface‐redox reactions”. Of these, especially important are the enzymatic redox reactions. With the technique named “protein‐film voltammetry” we can get insight into the chemical features of many lipophilic redox enzymes. Electrochemical processes of many redox adsorbates, occurring at a surface of working electrode, are very often coupled with chemical reactions. In this work, we focus on the application of square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) to study the theoretical features of a surface electrode reaction coupled with two chemical steps. The starting electroactive form Ox_(ads) in this mechanism gets initially generated via preceding chemical reaction. After undergoing redox transformation at the working electrode, Ox_(ads) species got additionally regenerated via chemical reaction of electrochemically generated product Red_(ads) with a given substrate Y. The theory of this so‐called surface CEC’ mechanism is presented for the first time under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. While we present plenty of calculated voltammograms of this complex electrode mechanism, we focus on the effect of rate of regenerative (catalytic) step to simulated voltammograms. We consider both, electrochemical reactions featuring moderate and fast electron transfer. The obtained voltammetric patterns are very specific, having sometime hybrid‐like features of voltammograms as typical for CE, EC and EC’ mechanisms. We give diagnostic criteria to recognize this complex mechanism in SWV, but we also present hints to access the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters relevant to both chemical steps, and the electrochemical reaction, too. Indeed, the results presented in this work can help experimentalists to design proper experiments to study chemical features of important lipophilic systems.     

Square‐wave Voltammetry of Two‐step Surface Electrode Mechanisms Coupled with Chemical Reactions – A Theoretical Overview

Square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) of so‐called “surface redox reactions” is seen as a simple and efficient tool to quantify large number of drugs, physiologically active substances and other important chemicals. It also provides elegant methods to get access to relevant kinetic and thermodynamic parameters related to many lipophilic compounds. Moreover, with this technique we can study activity of various enzymes by exploring the “protein‐film voltammetry” set up. In this work, we focus on theoretical SWV features of four complex surface electrode mechanisms, in which the electron exchange between the working electrode and the studied redox substrate takes place in two successive steps. While we present large number of calculated square‐wave voltammograms, we give hints to recognize particular two‐step surface mechanism, but also to distinguish it from other similar mechanisms. We present plenty of relevant aspects of surface two‐step surface EE, two‐step surface ECE and surface catalytic EEC’ mechanisms. Moreover, we present for the first time a series of theoretical results related to two‐step surface EECrev mechanism (i. e. two‐step surface reaction coupled to follow‐up reversible chemical step). The simulated voltammetric patterns presented in this work can bring relevant aspects to resolve some experimental situations met in voltammetry of many redox enzymes and other important substances whose electrochemical transformation occurs in two‐steps.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetry of Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin on Glassy‐Carbon and Paraffin‐Impregnated Graphite Electrode

Electrochemical oxidation of sodium copper chlorophyllin (CHL) has been investigated at a glassy‐carbon (GC) and paraffin‐impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) using square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). Square‐wave voltammograms of other two chlorin‐type compounds, namely chlorin e₆ and chlorophyll a, have been studied as well. The measurements were performed in the pH range between 7 and 11. The square‐wave frequency was changed between 8 and 1000 Hz. The oxidation of studied chlorins is a complex, pH‐independent, reversible or quasireversible process, followed by the chemical transformation of the product. The product of the EC reaction of CHL is an electroactive π? π dimer, which strongly adsorbs on the electrode surface and undergoes further oxidation at more positive potential. The electrooxidation of the adsorbed dimer is a pH‐independent irreversible process with the formation of an electroinactive film. The voltammetric behaviour of chlorin e₆ on PIGE was qualitatively similar to that of CHL. The SW voltammograms of chlorin e₆ recorded on GCE and of chlorophyll a recorded on PIGE consisted of only one peak. The SW responses of studied compounds strongly depend on the stabilization of the reaction intermediate by adsorption to the electrode surface.     

Diagnostic Criteria for the Characterization of Electrode Reactions with Chemically Coupled Reactions Preceding the Electron Transfer by Cyclic Square Wave Voltammetry

Theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry of electrode reactions with chemical reactions preceding the electron transfer is presented. Theoretical voltammograms were calculated following systematic variation of empirical parameters to assess their impact on the shape of the voltammogram. From the trends obtained, diagnostic criteria for this mechanism were deduced. When properly applied, these criteria will enable non‐experts in voltammetry to assign the electrode reaction mechanism and accurately measure reaction kinetics.     

Characterization of the Surface Electrode Reaction in the Presence of Uniform Interaction: The Case of Mo(VI) Reduction in the Presence of Phenanthroline and an Excess of Fulvic Acids

Surface electrode reactions involving lateral uniform interactions between adsorbed species is studied by means of square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). Interactions are represented by the interaction product aΘ, were a is the Frumkin interaction parameter (a is positive for attraction and negative for repulsion forces) and Θ is the surface coverage. The properties of the SW voltammetric response enable detection of interactions and recognition of the type of interaction forces by a simple procedure. The influence of the interactions on the apparent electrochemical reversibility of the surface electrode reaction is studied in detail. Utilizing “quasireversible maximum” the simple methodology for estimation of the standard redox rate constant without knowing the exact value of the interaction product aΘ is developed. Theoretical predictions are illustrated and confirmed by experiments with Mo(VI) in the presence of phenantroline and an excess of fulvic acids.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetry of Quasi‐Reversible CE Reactions at Spherical Microelectrodes

A mathematical model for the CE mechanism in which the chemical together with the electrochemical reactions are quasi‐reversible at the surface of spherical macro and micro‐electrodes is presented for the case of square‐wave voltammetry. The analysis of voltammometric responses considers the influence of rate and equilibrium constants, together with the electrode radius, and their dependence on the square‐wave frequency (f). Both kinetics and the sphericity effect act synergistically on the electrochemical response. Also, the apparent electrode sphericity and the reversibility of the chemical as well as the electrochemical reactions are jointly affected by the variation of f. Disregarding the sphericity contribution in the calculation of kinetic parameters at a microelectrode may introduce errors even higher than one order of magnitude. The model allows the analysis of a more realistic and complex electrochemical system that requires not only the dependence of experimental responses on f, but also their fit with theoretical voltammograms, in order to provide some useful mechanistic information. Finally, concentration profiles are also studied to realize how the chemical contribution is buffering the absences of oxidized species at the electrode surface, and how those profiles are modified for the case of spherical macro and micro‐electrodes.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetry of the Molybdenum‐1,10 Phenanthroline‐Fulvic Acids Complex: Redox Kinetics Measurements

The reduction process of molybdenum in the presence of fulvic acids and phenanthroline was investigated by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The mixed-ligand complex of molybdenum exhibits a pronounced tendency to adsorb onto the mercury electrode surface. The electrode reaction proceeds as a surface process in which both components of the redox couple are firmly confined to the electrode surface. The kinetics of the electrode reaction is studied utilizing the properties of “split SW peaks” and “quasireversible maximum”. The kinetic parameters obtained with two different square-wave voltammetric methods are in good agreement. In 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution with pH 2.5 the kinetic parameters are: standard rate constant k_s=8±2 s⁻¹, cathodic electron transfer coefficient α=0.41±0.05, and number of exchanged electrons n=2. The SW kinetic measurements are confirmed by cyclic voltammetric method.     

A Novel Strategy for Quantifying Clopidogrel Using Square‐wave Voltammetry and a Boron‐doped Diamond Film

The voltammetric behavior of clopidogrel bisulfate (CLO), an antiplatelet agent, was investigated for the first time in the literature on a cathodically pretreated boron‐doped diamond electrode (CP‐BDDE) using cyclic (CV) and square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). It was observed an anodic peak for CLO, suitable for analytical purposes, at about 1.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L^?1 KCl)) by CV in Britton‐Robinson buffer solution (pH 5.0). On the physical‐chemical characterization of the interface phenomena, it was proved that electrode reaction of the analyte was controlled by a diffusion process. At optimized square‐wave parameters (pulse amplitude of 60 mV, frequency of 30 Hz and scan increment of 3 mV), the obtained analytical curve was linear for the CLO concentration range from 0.60 to 60.0 μmol L^?1, with a detection limit of 0.60 μmol L^?1. The simple, rapid and greener analytical method, based on CP‐BDDE electrochemical sensor, was successfully applied in real samples (pharmaceuticals and urine).     

Cyclic Voltammetry—“Electrochemical Spectroscopy”. New Analytical Methods (25)

Polarography is still the best known classical measuring method in electroanalytical chemistry. However, in recent years its position has been challenged by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Simple diagnostic criteria and relatively easily acquired measuring techniques have hastened this development. Cyclic voltammetry has the further attraction of providing information not only on the thermodynamics of redox processes but also on the kinetics of heterogeneous electron-transfer reactions and coupled chemical reactions. The characteristic shapes of the voltammetric waves and their unequivocal position on the potential scale virtually fingerprint the individual electrochemical properties of redox systems. For this reason the method has been labeled “electrochemical spectroscopy”.     

Measuring the Electrode Kinetics of Vitamin B2 at a Constant Time Window of a Square Wave Voltammetric Experiment

The electrode kinetics of vitamin B2 was measured at a constant scan rate of a square‐wave (SW) voltammetric experiment by recently introduced method based on alteration of the height (amplitude) of the SW potential pulses. The electrode reaction mechanism was analyzed in the light of the simplified model considering two‐electron one step surface electrode mechanism, as well as to more appropriate EE surface reaction pathway consisting of two successive one‐electron quasireversible reactions. Theoretical analysis indicated that the evolution of the voltammetric response under variation of the SW amplitude enables estimation of the rate determining step of the EE mechanism.     

Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry of Uracil. Experimental and Theoretical Study Under Conditions of Square‐Wave Voltammetry

The electrode mechanism of uracil at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) is studied under cathodic stripping square‐wave voltammetric mode owing to the cathodic dissolution of a sparingly soluble compound formed between the electrode material and uracil. The experimental results can be partly explained in the light of the recent theory for cathodic stripping processes of insoluble salts under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. It is established that the electrode reaction is complicated by attractive interactions between the deposited species of the insoluble compound. To elucidate the electrode mechanism completely a novel theoretical model is developed considering adsorption of the reacting analyte and lateral interactions between species of the insoluble compound. With the help of numerical simulations the effect of interactions is studied in detail, emphasizing the properties of the response that can be used as diagnostic criteria for recognition of the type of interaction forces. Theoretically predicted voltammetric properties agree well with the experimental results enabling clarification of the complex electrode mechanism of uracil at HMDE.     

Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Analysis of 4‐(4‐(5‐Phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐yl)phenoxy)‐Substituted Cobalt(II), Lead(II) and Metal‐Free Phthalocyanines

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical analyses of 4‐(4‐(5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐yl)phenoxy)‐substituted metal‐free phthalocyanine ( H₂Pc ( 1 )) and metallated phthalocyanines ( PbPc ( 2 ) and CoPc ( 3 )) were performed in solution. Voltammetric characterizations of the phthalocyanine complexes were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. CoPc ( 3 ) gave common metal and ring based electron transfer reactions; however they split due to the aggregation. Although PbPc ( 2 ) illustrated reversible reduction processes during the voltammetric measurements, it was de‐metallized and thus turned to the metal free phthalocyanine during repetitive voltammetric cycles and in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetry of Cathodic Stripping Reactions. Diagnostic Criteria,Redox Kinetic Measurements,and Analytical Applications

A comparative study of different types of cathodic stripping reactions under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry is presented. Cathodic stripping processes involving reactions of second order as well as reactions coupled by adsorption of the reacting ligand are analyzed The inherent parameters, controlling the overall voltammetric behavior of each cathodic stripping electrode reaction are derived. The criteria for qualitative distinguishing of each mechanism are established as well as a methodology for redox kinetic measurements is proposed. The influence of the parameters of the excitation signal on the properties of the voltammetric response is analyzed in order to find optimal conditions for analytical application. The theoretical results are illustrated by the experiments with a series of uracil derivatives.     

Square‐wave Amplitude Effect in Cathodic and Anodic Stripping Square‐wave Voltammetry

In this paper a theoretical study of stripping processes at planar electrodes under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry is presented. A mechanistic examination for cathodic stripping electrode mechanisms, a simple anodic striping mechanism, and anodic stripping mechanisms coupled with adsorption equilibrium of the analyte are discussed using varying square‐wave amplitudes. The methodologies described here use two typical features: the peak potential separation of square‐wave components and the amplitude‐based quasireversible maximum. Both methods can be applied at a constant frequency, i. e., constant scan rate. The received data are combined with the critical parameters of electrode reaction kinetics. Thus, the established methodologies allow for a simple kinetic characterization. The received diagnostic criteria are verified with experiments at a glassy carbon electrode for lead ions.     

Adsorptive Square‐Wave Voltammetry for the Analysis and Speciation of Complexes of Cd(II)‐Ferron

The theory of adsorptive stripping square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) for relatively low ligand concentrations is employed to determine the reduction mechanism of Cd(II)‐ferron complexes accumulated on a static mercury drop electrode at different pH values. The electrochemical behavior of ferron molecules indicated that the adsorptive concentration of Cd(II) is possible in solutions with 3.5<pH<11, providing a wide pH range where the interference of other ligands present in real samples would be not so critical. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were also performed for the purpose of comparison. Fitting between experimental and theoretical square‐wave voltammograms shows that the prevailing species at the reaction layer coincide with the equilibrium bulk distribution. The simulation procedure indicated that the electrochemical rate constants of Cd(II)‐ferron complexes varied from (6±1) s^?1 to (0.17±0.01) s^?1 for solutions analyzed at pH 3.9 and 10.8, respectively. Changes at the surface concentrations are discussed considering the ligand to complex ratios at the electrode surface and at the solution bulk. From this analysis it is possible to infer that the oxidized metal species are produced in the electrolytic solution instead of on the electrode surface.     

Simple voltammetric approach for characterization of two-step surface electrode mechanism in protein-film voltammetry

Many enzymes embedding multivalent metal ions or quinone moieties as redox-active centres undergo electrochemical transformation via two successive electron transfer steps. If electrochemical features of such redox enzymes are analyzed with “protein-film voltammetry”, one frequently meets a challenging reaction scenario where the two electron transfers take place at the same formal potential. Under such conditions, one observes voltammogram with a single oxidation-reduction pattern hiding voltammetric features of both redox reactions. By exploring some aspects of the two-step surface EECrev mechanism one can develop simple methodology under conditions of square-wave voltammetry to enable recognizing and characterizing each electron transfer step. The method relies on the voltammetric features of the second electron transfer, which is coupled to a follow-up chemical reaction. The response of the second electron transfer step shifts to more positive potentials by increasing the rate of the chemical reaction. The proposed methodology can be experimentally applied by modifying the concentration of an electrochemically inactive substrate, which affects the rate of the follow-up chemical reaction. The final voltammetric output is represented by two well-separated square-wave voltammetric peaks that can be further exploited for complete thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of the EECrev mechanism.

     

Theoretical Treatment of a Cathodic Stripping Mechanism of an Insoluble Salt Coupled with a Chemical Reaction in Conditions of Square Wave Voltammetry. Application to 6‐Mercaptopurine‐9‐D‐Riboside in the Presence of Ni(II)

Cathodic stripping mechanism of an insoluble salt coupled with a homogenous chemical reaction is considered both theoretically and experimentally under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. For the mercury electrode in aqueous solution, the electrode reaction is described as L(aq)+Hg(l)=HgL(s)+2e^?, where L(aq) is the reactive ligand that forms a sparingly soluble compound HgL(s). The electrode reaction is coupled with a homogenous, first‐order chemical reaction, A(aq)=L(aq). Theoretical predictions are confirmed by experiments with 6‐mercaptopurine‐9‐D‐riboside in the presence of nickel(II) ions.     

Electroanalytical Studies of Biologically Active Azosalicylic Acid at a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode

The electrochemical behavior of disodium 3,3′‐azobis‐(6‐hydroxy‐)benzoate (olsalazine sodium), 2‐hydroxy‐5‐[(4‐sulfophenyl)azo]benzoic acid and 2‐hydroxy‐5‐azo‐benzoic acid was studied as a simple model of the metabolic reduction of azosalicylic acids using cyclic and square‐wave voltammetry. The stability of the hydrazo intermediate generated in the electroreduction process is strongly dependent on pH and the effect of different substituents in the aromatic ring adjacent to the azo bridge. The electrode mechanism of azosalicylic acids at hanging mercury drop electrode exhibits characteristic properties of a surface redox reaction. The kinetic parameters of azo/hydrazo reduction, such as the standard redox reaction rate constant and the electron transfer coefficient were estimated applying the methods of a split SW peak and a quasireversible maximum. A sensitive analytical method for the determination of trace level of biologically active azosalicylic acids by square‐wave voltammetry based on adsorptive stripping technique is described.