Electrodegradation of ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide at BDD electrode: Decomposition pathway and its kinetics

• Ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide were electrochemically oxidized at BDD anode.
• The presence of Cl− and H2PO4−/HPO42− ions elevated drug decay rate.
• Electrochemical removal rate of parent compound: IF and CF was the similar.
• The quantity and quality of electro-oxidized by-products were different for them.

This paper explores the applicability of electrochemical oxidation on two cytostatic drugs ifosfamide (IF) and cyclophosphamide (CF) by means of the BDD anode. The effect of the important electrochemical parameters: current density (4.8–16.0 mA cm−2), IF drug concentration (5–55 mg L−1), and initial pH (4.0–9.5) on the efficiency of the applied electrochemical process was evaluated. Both aforementioned drugs decomposed in accordance with a pseudo-first order kinetics. The obtained results indicate that the current density and initial drug concentration significantly influence the rate of electrochemical decomposition and the process efficiency for both drugs, while the pH effect is marginal. Additionally the effect of inorganic ions such as Cl−, PO43−, NH4+, NO3− and HCO3− on the decomposition behavior of IF was also investigated. Among them Cl− and PO43− ions significantly elevated the decomposition rate of the drug. To determine the degradation pathway of IF, the organic by-products, and the released inorganic ions, were identified and quantified over the entire time of electrolysis. Despite the fact that the values of coefficient rate kapp of parent compounds are similar, the quality and the quantities of organic and inorganic intermediates determined during the electrolysis of IF and CF found during electrolysis was differed. The analysis of organic intermediates via LC–MS method resulted in the identification of a few products.