ELECTOREDUCTION OF 4-(NITROPHENYL) SUBSTITUTED 1,4-DIHYDROPYRIDINES ON THE MERCURY-ELECTRODE IN APROTIC MEDIUM

Electrochemical studies on 4-(nitrophenyl) substituted 1,4-dihydropyri dines of pharmacological importance have allowed us to generate the on e-electron reduction product, the nitro radical anion, ArNO2.-, in apr otic media. Cyclic voltammetric technique have been employed to study the tendency of ArNO2.- to undergo further chemical reaction. Second o rder kinetics for the decay of ArNO2.- were established for all the 1, 4-dihydropyridines examined. The 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives that have the nitro group in the orto position in the ring shows a trend to give less stable radicals when comparing with meta substitution. The cyclic voltammograms of the couple ArNO2/ArNO2.- has also been examine d in the presence and absence of glutathione concluding that it does n ot exist interaction among glutathione and the nitro radical anions in aprotic media. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.