Polarographische Untersuchung des Systems Folsäure — Dihydrofolsäure — Tetrahydrofolsäure / Polarographic Examination of the System Folic Acid — Dihydrofolic Acid — Tetrahydrofolic Acid

Abstract

7,8-Dihydrofolic acid and tetrahydrofolic acid were prepared from folic acid. The three compounds were examined by different polarographic methods. The diffusion coefficient of folic acid was determined independently. Folic acid is reduced via a reversible 2-electron step, an irreversible transformation of the primary product, giving 7,8-dihydrofolic acid. The reduction is continued by two further 2-electron steps with an intermediate chemical reaction (the cleavage of the side chain). The redox potentials are measured and the mechanism of the reaction is discussed.