An electrochemical study on interaction of copper ions with three isomers, picolinic, nicotinic and isonicotinic acids at physiological pH

Abstract

The electrochemical behaviors of copper ions complexed with picolinic, nicotinic and isonicotinic acids (2-, 3- and 4-pyridinecarboxylic acids) in Britton–Robinson buffer (pH 7.4) was studied by polarographic and voltammetric techniques on a mercury electrode. This study showed that the reduction of complexed copper ions in the presence of nicotinic acid (NA) was carried out in two one-electron steps [Cu(II)/Cu(I) and Cu(I)/Cu(0)] whereas this cathodic process in the presence of picolinic acid (PA) or isonicotinic acid (INA) occurred in one two-electron step [Cu(II)/Cu(0)]. The stability of the Cu(I) complex can be sourced from the positions of carboxylate substituents on these isomeric ligands, binding to the copper center.