Electrochemical Studies of Carbamazepine

Department of Chemistry, Government College, P. G. Extension, Rahjahmundry-533 005
Department of Chemistry, Regional Engineering College, Warangal-506 004
Manuscript received 18 January 1993, revised 1 December 1993, accepted 2 December 1993

Electrochemical investigations of carbamazepine (1) are carried out by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse polarography and coulometry. The compound undergoes a quasi-reversible two-electron reduction process at the 10,11 C=C of the heterocyclic ring. The cathodic shift in the E_pc as pH is increased, indicates the involvement of hydrogen ions in the redox process. A plausible EC mechanism is suggested for the pH and scan rate dependent CV profiles. The mechanism is supported by electronic spectroscopy and coulometry. The diffusion coefficients and conformational isomerisation (following-reaction) rate constants are calculated based on Nicholson and Shain method. An analytical technique in differential pulse polarography is developed for the assaying of carbamazepine in various commercial drug formulations.