Determination of methylviologen (Paraquat) by differential pulse polarography

Summary Determination of Methylviologen (Paraquat) by Differential Pulse Polarography The second reduction wave of methylviologen (Paraquat) has been studied at pH 2 by different polarographic techniques. The limiting current is diffusion-controlled. Evidence for dimerization of the radical formed in the first reduction step has been obtained. The n values for the reduction process have been calculated at concentration levels where the dimer and the monomer predominate. Paraquat can be determined by differential pulse polarography in the 6.0×10^–5–4.0×10^–7 M concentration range, the limit of determination being 1.7×10^–7 M. The method has been applied to paraquat determination in commercial herbicides.