Polarographic behaviour and determination of nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol and related compounds

Abstract

The polarographic behaviour of nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol have been studied in pyridine-formic acid buffer and tetramethylammonium chloride solution at pH 4.3. The E_½versus pH and i_limversus pH relationships show that the E_½ values are pH dependent and that the current is independent of pH except when acid-base equilibria affect it. The difference in E_½ values (230 mV) makes simultaneous determination possible. Simultaneous determinations of both drugs were performed in a concentration range suitable for application to pharmaceutical formulations and body fluids. Other nitro derivatives can also be determined without interference. The standard additions technique provided results as satisfactory as the use of a calibration graph. The proposed method has the advantage over previously used electrochemical methods of not requiring prior separations.