Turk J Chem
Turkish Journal of Chemistry
(2014) 38: 477 – 487
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⃝ TUBITAK
doi:10.3906/kim-1307-4
Research Article
Spectroscopic investigation and oxidation of the anticholinergic drug atropine
sulfate monohydrate by hexacyanoferrate(III) in aqueous alkaline media: a
mechanistic approach
Manjunath METI, Sharanappa NANDIBEWOOR, Shivamurti CHIMATADAR∗
P. G. Department of Studies in Chemistry, Karnatak University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad, India
Received: 01.07.2013
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Accepted: 22.11.2013
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Published Online: 14.04.2014
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Printed: 12.05.2014
Abstract: The oxidation of the anticholinergic drug atropine sulfate monohydrate by hexacyanoferrate(III) in aqueous
alkaline media was investigated spectrophotometrically by monitoring the decrease in absorbance of hexacyanoferrate(III)
(HCF(III)). Oxidation products were identified. The oxidation mechanism was proposed from kinetic studies. The
reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism were calculated. The effects of added products,
ionic strength, and dielectric constant of the reaction were investigated. The polymerization test revealed that oxidation
occurred with intervention of free radicals. The activation parameters were evaluated.
Key words: Kinetics of oxidation, mechanism, hexacyanoferrate(III), atropine sulfate
1. Introduction
Hexacyanoferrate(III) has been widely used to oxidize numerous organic and inorganic compounds in alkaline
media.1,2 Many transition and nontransition metal ions in their complex form act as good oxidants in acidic,
basic, or neutral media. However, oxidation capacity depends on their redox potential. It is also known that the
redox potential of the couple is pH dependent. For instance, the redox potential3 of [Fe(CN)6 ]3− /[Fe(CN)6 ]4−
in acid medium is +0.36 V and in basic medium is +0.40 V. This indicates that hexacyanoferrate(III) is a good
oxidant in basic medium. It is a one-equivalent oxidant leading to its reduction to hexacyanoferrate(II), a stable
product.4 Oxidation by HCF(III) ion generally proceeds through an outer sphere electron transfer mechanism,
which depends not only on the nature of the substrate but also on the medium of the reaction.5
Tropane alkaloid (atropine) is extracted from deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), jimsonweed (Datura
stramonium), mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), and other plants of the family Solanaceaeare widely used as
parasympatholytic, anticholinergic, and antiemetic drugs.6 Atropine sulfate is (RS)-(1R,3r,5S)-3-tropoyloxytro-
panium sulfate monohydrate (Figure 1).7
Atropine sulfate, the monohydrate of (1R,3r,5S)-3-tropoyloxytropanium sulfate, can be used for suppress-
ing unstriated muscle, controlling glandular excretion, in small doses stimulating the central nervous system,
having the action of mydriasis in ophthalmology, etc.8 However, most alkaloids have special and significant
biological activity, and so caution is called for in establishing a sound method to detect atropine sulfate in a
clinical assay.9 Its degradation by microorganisms has been reported by several groups10,11 and, in cases for
∗Correspondence: schimatadar@gmail.com
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