Hydroxylation of aromatic drugs by the electro-Fenton method. Formation and identification of the metabolites of Riluzole
Abstract
The electro-Fenton method permits hydroxyl radicals to be produced by simultaneous electrochemical reduction of dioxygen and ferric ions. These hydroxyl radicals react with the neuroprotective drug Riluzole to give four identified hydroxylated compounds. These hydroxyl compounds are identical to the natural metabolites, the electrochemical behaviour of which is investigated. The electrochemically assisted Fenton reaction could therefore provide a convenient method for obtaining metabolites of aromatic drugs.