Electrochemical oxidation of N-methylated derivatives of uric acid

The electrochemical oxidation of a number of N-methylated uric acids has been studied by linear and cyclic sweep voltammetry, coulometry and thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry. The observed results support the view that the electrooxidation is a 2e reaction to give a very unstable diimine primary product. This is rapidly hydrated to give an imine-alcohol which is further hydrated to give a uric acid-4,5-diol derivative which subsequently fragments to the various products.