Electrochemical oxidation of acetaminophen in the presence of clonazepam

Electrochemical oxidation of acetaminophen has been studied in the presence of clonazepam in aqueous solutions, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potentialcoulometry methods. The obtained results indicated that N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI) derived from acetaminophen participates in Michael addition reaction with clonazepam, via an EC reaction mechanism [1]. The product has been derived with a good yield based on electrochemical oxidation under controlled potential conditions in aqueous solutions. The procedure was realized with an environmentally friendly method, without using any toxic reagents and solvents at a carbon electrode in an undivided cell [2]. Furthermore, the homogeneous rate constant of the chemical reaction between NAPQI and clonazepam was estimated in various pH (e.g. kobs=782±39.7 (M-1s-1)), bycomparing the experimental cyclic voltammetric responses with those obtained by digital simulation [2].