A New Look at the Electrochemical Reduction of Parabanic Acid and Its Methyl Derivatives

Parabanic acid and its methyl and dimethyl derivatives in aqueous solutions are reduced with one polarographic and voltammetric wave in the 0–7.5 p H range in buffer concentrations higher than 0.1 M and ionic strength of 0.1 M . The form and number of waves are strongly dependent on the nature of supporting electrolyte. The waves are diffusion‐controlled, and there is no evidence of kinetic control produced by the dehydration of the carbonyl group. Voltammetric results confirm the existence of two different mechanisms: at the process is of type and at higher p H values the two‐electron transfer is irreversible. We can find no evidence for the possible phosphate complex as reported in the literature.