Polarography of Mercaptoalkyl Compounds and Their Disulfides

Abstract

The polarography of 2‐mercaptoethylguanidine , 2‐mercaptopropylguanidine , 2‐mercaptoethylamine , and 2‐mercaptoethanol and their disulfides (, , and ) has been studied. The mereaptans behave in the same way as other mercaptans described previously in the literature. gives well‐defined reduction waves. The characteristics of the waves in the absence and presence of are the same as those of oxidized glutathione and can be accounted for by the sequence of the two reactions: in which the first reaction is the rate and potential determining step. , , and are reduced irreversibly at the dropping mercury electrode.