Electrochemical oxidation of trimipramine in the absence and presence of 1,3 dimethyl barbituric acid as a nucleophile
in aqueous solution has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry electrolysis.
Voltammetric studies of electro-oxidation of trimipramine were realized in a range of pH 1.0 to 8.0 in the
absence and presence of 1,3 dimethyl barbituric acid. Based on the obtained electrochemical results, dimerization
is the main reaction of electro-oxidation of trimipramine in the absence of nucleophile. The voltammetric data
indicate that the 1,3 dimethyl barbituric acid participation in Michael addition reaction with the oxidized dimeric
form of trimipramine via an ECEC electrochemical mechanisms. On the other hand the results indicate existence
of a catalytic (EC’) electrochemical mechanism in parallel with ECEC electrochemical mechanism. This method
provides a facile and one-pot procedure for the synthesis of new dibenzazepine derivative. Finally, a possible
mechanism is proposed for the electrode process, on the basis of the present and previous investigations. The
product has been characterized by IR, 1
H NMR, 13CNMR and MS methods.