Synthesis and characterisation of a novel bi-nuclear copper2+ complex and its application as electrode-modifying agent for simultaneous voltammetric determination of dopamine and ascorbic acid

A new binuclear complex of copper²⁺, LCu²⁺(CH₃COO)₂Cu²⁺L](CH₃COO)₂ where L is N,N-bis(phthalimide)ethylenediamine, was synthesised and characterised. The complex ion LCu²⁺ (CH₃COO)₂Cu²⁺L]²⁺ was encapsulated into ZSM-5 zeolite and used to modify the surface of the glassy carbon electrode. This modified electrode, in a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.0, exhibited an oxidation potential for dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) at electrode potentials of 0.230 V and ?0.090 V vs. Ag/AgCl respectively, a separation of 0.320 V. The electro-oxidation of DA or AA on the modified electrode is independent of each other. No interference was observed from Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? , Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and glucose. The detection limits obtained were 2.91 × 10^?7 M for DA and 3.5 × 10^?7 M for AA.