Electrochemistry of anti-HIV agents

Square wave voltammetry has been used to study the electrochemical behaviour of antiHIV drugs in aqueous solutions. The oxidation reaction of Carbovir (1) at a Pt microelectrode occurs at 1.12 V versus SCE and the peak current is proportional to the concentration. An electroanalytical technique for the determination of trace concentrations of Carbovir (1) is proposed and experimental conditions have been optimised. The effect of Cu(II) on the electrochemistry of nucleosides and nucleotides has also been studied. An equilibrium between the nucleotide-copper complex formed and the free nucleotide is observed.