Voltaic behavior and determination of chloramphenicol at mercury film electrode

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of chloramphenicol content in eye drops. Methods: In 0.1 mol/L HAc-NaAc(pH 4.5) solution, a sensitive reduction peak of chloramphenicol was obtained by square wave voltametry at mercury film (electrode). The peak potential was -0.24 V ( vs Ag/AgCl). The voltaic behavior of the system was studied by square wave and cyclic voltametry. Results: A linear relationship was held between the peak current and the chloramphenicol concentrations ranging from 1.0×10~(-7) to 5.0×10~(-5) mol/L with a detection limit of 5.0×10~(-8) mol/L. Conclusion: The results showed that the reduction of chloramphenicol at mercury film electrode was irreversible. This method was used for the determination of chloramphenicol content in eye drops with satisfactory results.