Studies on the polarographic behaviour of estazolam

In 0.1M NH(3)-NH(4)Cl buffer (pH 9.2) a sensitive 2-electron reduction wave of estazolam is obtained by single-sweep oscillopolarography. The peak potential is -1.08 V (vs. SCE). The peak height is proportional to the concentration of estazolam over the range 1.0 x 10(-7)-9.0 x 10( partial differential)M. The detection limit is 5.0 x 10(-8)M. The behaviour of the reduction wave has been studied and applied to the determination of estazolam. The reduction process is irreversible and the wave shows adsorptive characteristics, the behaviour obeying the Frumkin adsorption isotherm. The adsorption coefficient beta is 1.16 x 10(6) 1./mole and the interaction factor alpha is -1.06. The mechanism of the electrode reaction is discussed.