Determination of thiocytosine using its enhancement effect on the copper anodic stripping wave

Abstract

A method has been developed for the determination of thiocytosine in the presence of copper. Thiocytosine is accumulated at –0.2 V versus SCE as a copper complex on the surface of the copper amalgam electrode. A peak appears at 0.124 V versus SCE in the process of anodic stripping, the height of which is proportional to the concentration of thiocytosine present. The response is linear in the concentration range between 1 × 10^–6 and 6 × 10^–8M. Hence the method is suitable for the determination of this antineoplastic in human serum using a solid-liquid extraction process and passing through C₁₈ cartridges in order to avoid possible interferences. Interferences from other antineoplastics that might be used in the same medical treatment were not found.