Electrocatalysis of oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol, l-cysteine and reduced glutathione by adsorbed and electrodeposited cobalt tetra phenoxypyrrole and tetra ethoxythiophene substituted phthalocyanines

Catalytic activity of cobalt tetra ethoxythiophene and cobalt tetra phenoxypyrrole phthalocyanine complexes towards oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol, l-cysteine and reduced glutathione is reported. It was found that the activity of the complexes depends on the substitution of the phthalocyanine ring, pH, film thickness and method of electrode modification. The high electrocatalytic activity obtained with adsorbed complexes in alkaline medium clearly demonstrates the necessity of modifying bare carbon electrodes to endow them with the desired behaviour.