Polarographic behaviour and analysis of 2-nitro-5,6-dimethylindane-1,3-dione in raw materials and pharmaceutical formulations

Abstract

2-Nitro-5,6-dimethylindane-1,3-dione is a new orally active anti-asthmatic drug and is administered in the form of the monohydrate sodium salt. It possesses three electro-reducible groups, namely the two carbonyl and the nitro group, the reduction of which are pH dependent. The best defined waves for analytical purposes are those produced by the 4e reduction of the nitro group in acidic media, which, when combined with the fact that the known breakdown products and impurities do not contain this electro-active group, endows a polarographic method for the assay of this drug in raw materials and formulations with enhanced selectivity.