Electrochemical Oxidation of Rutin

Abstract

An electrochemical investigation of rutin oxidation on a glassy carbon electrode was carried out using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and square-wave voltammetry over a wide pH interval. The electrochemical oxidation is a complex process, which proceeds in a cascade mechanism, related with the 4-hydroxyl groups of the rutin molecule. The catechol 3prime,4prime-dihydroxyl group is the first to be oxidized by a two-electron - two-proton reversible oxidation reaction, followed by an irreversible oxidation reaction due to the 5,7-dihydroxyl group. Both mechanisms are pH dependent. An adsorption process is also observed and the oxidation products block the electrode surface.