Voltammetric and potentiometric studies of some sulpha drug-Schiff base compounds and their metal complexes

The electrochemical behavior of some sulpha drug-Schiff bases at a mercury electrode was examined in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of various pH values (2.5–11.7) containing 20% v/v) of ethanol using DC-polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis. The DC-polarograms and cyclic voltammograms of the examined compounds exhibited a single, 2-electron, irreversible, diffusion-controlled cathodic step within the entire pH range which is attributed to the reduction of the azomethine group-CH=N- to -CH2-NH-. The symmetry transfer coefficient (α) of the electrode reaction and the diffusion coefficient (D 0) of the reactant species were determined. The electrode reaction pathway of the compounds at the mercury electrode was suggested to follow the sequence: H+, e−, e−, H+. The dissociation constant of the sulpha drug-Schiff bases, the stability constant and stoichiometry of their complexes with various divalent transition metal ions (Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) were determined potentiometrically at room temperature.