Kinetics of oxidation of thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) in the free state and as its metal complex, and as a hydrazone by chloramine-T (CAT) in aqueous HClO₄ medium, and by dichloramine-T (DCT) in 1:1 (v/v) water-methanol medium in the presence of HClO₄ have been studied. Rates of oxidation of TCH in the free state and in metal complex by CAT were determined. The rate law for the oxidation of TCH at high [H⁺ ] and for complex oxidations were identical to that for CAT oxidations. The conversion of TCH into its hydrazone changed the order in [H⁺] from a positive to a negative value, probably signalling the change of reaction site. The rate law for oxidation under these conditions was determined. Addition of the reduced product of the oxidants had no effect on the rate of oxidations. Variation in ionic strength of the medium had little positive effect, while decrease in dielectric constant of the medium decreased the rate in both the oxidations. Oxidation processes generally follow a Michaelis-Menten type of mechanism. Constants of the rate limiting steps have been calculated at different temperatures and these constants have been used to calculate the activation parameters from the Arrhenius plots. The proposed mechanisms are supported by investigations with HOC1 under identical reaction conditions. Metal complexation of the substrate decreased the reactivity, while conversion of TCH into its hydrazone changed the rate dependence on [H⁺].

A comprehensive study of the electrochemical reduction of Β-nitrostyrene and the corresponding heterocyclic analogue has been carried out in aprotic media using wax-impregnated carbon paste electrodes. Nitrostyrene exhibits quasi-reversible reduction process in aprotic medium at the waximpregnated carbon paste electrodes as compared to other electrodes reported in the literature. The nitroradical anion couple detected in the presence of tetrabutyl ammonium perchlorate is found to be stable only in aprotic media. Though, as reported, the pharmacological activity related to this nitro radical anion and its therapeutic value are related to the stability of the nitro radical anion, the stability itself depends on the electrode system employed. Added benzoic acid is found to bring about a positive shift in cathodic peak potential.

Electrochemical oxidation of thio/carbohydrazide and their hydrazone derivatives Benzaldehyde thiocarbohydrazone [BTCH] diacetylene thiocarbohydrazone [DATCH] have been studied in Britton Robinson buffer in aqueous and nonaqueous media at a glassy carbon electrode. The effects of pH, sweep rate, concentration, temperature and surfactants have been studied. The complex bis (carbo/thiocabohydrazide) Zn(II) chloride was also subjected to voltammetric analysis in order to understand the reactivity both in free and metal bound states. The reaction conditions were optimized for the determination of above compounds in micrograms quantities by differential pulse voltammetry, analytical utility of this investigation is also highlighted.