Polarographic behaviour and determination of nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol and related compounds.

Abstract

The polarographic behaviour of nitrofuantoin and chloramphenicol have been studied in pyridine - formic acid buffer and tetramethylammonium chloride solution at pH 4.3. The E1/2 versus i lim versus pH relationships show that E1/2 values are pH dependent and that the current independent of pH except when acid - base equilibria affect it. The difference in E1/2 values (230mV) 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 proviously used electrochemical methods of not requiring prior separations.