Square wave voltammetry of nitrofurans in aqueous media using a carbon fiber microelectrode

The nitrofuran compounds exhibit a wide spectrum of biological action, and the understanding of their reduction mechanism can contribute to a better comprehension of their biological action. In this sense, the electrochemical reduction of nitrofurans has been studied through square wave voltammetry (SWV) in aqueous media, having a carbon fiber microelectrode as working electrode. One single cathodic peak in acidic media is registered for all studied drugs (nitrofurazone, nitrofurantoin, and furazolidone), being the hidroxylamine derivative formation linearly dependent on pH. In alkaline media, the peaks reduction is not pH-dependent, but a split of the original into two distinct peaks is observed. The evaluation of the results obtained in unprecedented form by SWV for different alkaline pH media, suggests that the charge transfer process for the R-NO₂ ^?? formation is followed by irreversible chemical reaction, which chacraterizes an EC mechanism.