Hydroxylation of aromatic drugs by the electro-Fenton method. Formation and identification of the metabolites of Riluzole

The electro-Fenton method permits hydroxyl radicals to be produced by simul taneous electrochemical reduction of dioxygen and ferric ions. These hydrox yl radicals react with the neuroprotective drug Riluzole to give four ident ified hydroxylated compounds. These hydroxyl compounds are identical to the natural metabolites, the electrochemical behaviour of which is investigate d. The electrochemically assisted Fenton reaction could therefore provide a convenient method for obtaining metabolites of aromatic drugs.