ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDY OF SCHIFF-BASES DER IVED FROM ETHYLAMINE AND ETHYLENEDIAMINE - ECE MECHANISMS AND DISPROPORTIONATION IN ALKALINE-SOLUTION

The electrochemical reduction on a mercury electrode of the Schiff bas e derived from pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) with ethylamine (Et) and e thylendiamine (Etd) has been carried out by de and dp polarography and linear scan cyclic voltammetry (LSCV). The formation of the Schiff ba se is a function of the pH and the amine concentration. In the PLP:Etd reaction mixture, the formation of geminaldiamine and enol tautomer o f the Schiff base has been detected. The electrochemical results indic ate that the reduction of the Schiff base is an ECE process in basic m edia and in strong basic media interference by an electron exchange di sproportionation is observed.