fast electrocatalytic determination of methimazole at an activated glassy carbon electrode

a fast and simple voltammetric method for the determination of methimazole in pharmaceutical products was reported. a glassy carbon electrode was pretreated by anodization at +1.75 v (vs. sce) for 5 min, followed by potential cycling in the range of 0.3-1.3 v (20 cycles). the pretreated electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic effect on the oxidation of methimazole. compared with untreated electrode, a large decrease (~300 mv) in the oxidation peak of methimazole was observed. the oxidation peak current at the new potential (0.4 v vs. sce) was linearly dependent on the concentration of methimazole in the range of 7.0 - 130 μm with a detection limit of 3.7 μm (s/n = 3). the method was successfully used in the determination of methimazole in thyramozol tablets. due to the simple and fast electrode preparation, there is no need for electrode cleaning or storage.