Application of reverse pulse polarography to the determination of substances which form films electrochemically on the mercury electrode

The application of reverse pulse polarography to the determination of substances which form films electrochemically on the mercury electrode is illustrated with penicillamine and cysteine. The dependence of the peak current on several variables is reported and compared with theoretical predictions. It is shown that under optimal instrumental conditions (long drop times and short effective pulses) reverse pulse polarography compares favourably with both normal pulse polarography and differential pulse polarography for the determination of penicillamine and cysteine, concentrations of penicillanline as low as 5 x 10(-8)M being readily determined in the presence of copper(II).