Novel Metronidazole Membrane Sensor Based on a 2,6‐(p‐N,N‐Dimethylaminophenyl)‐4‐Phenylthiopyrylium Perchlorate

A novel PVC‐based membrane sensor based on 2,6‐(p‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐4‐phenylthiopyrylium perchlorate (DAPP) is described. The electrode exhibits a sub‐Nernstian response to 1‐(beta‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐methyl‐5‐nitroimidazole (metronidazol) over a relatively wide concentration range (1.0 × 10^?1 to 1.0 × 10^?5 M) with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10^?6 M. The best performance was obtained with the membrane containing 30% poly (vinyl chloride), 50% dibutyl phthalate, 7% DAPP and 13% oleic acid. It has a fast response time (< 30 s) and can be used for at least four weeks without any major deviation. The proposed sensor revealed very good selectivity for metronidazole over a wide variety of common cations, anions and amino acids and could be used in the pH range of 6.0–7.5. It was successfully used for direct determination of metronidazole in an oral synthetic antiprotozoal as an antibacterial agent, in metronidazole tablets, and metronidazole injections and metronidazole gels.