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 .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.