Voltammetric Determination of Nitro Derivative of Synthetic Antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol

ABSTRACT

A new method is reported for the determination of the nitro derivative of the synthetic antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol by differential pulse voltammetry with a hanging drop mercury electrode. Standard 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-4-nitro-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1-one was synthesized for voltammetric determination after nitration. A nitration mechanism in acetic anhydride was proposed. The analyte provided a voltammetric signal in a mixture of 0.014 mole per liter potassium chloride and 94% ethanol. The developed method was employed for the determination of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol in oil with satisfactory results, suggesting future application for practical analysis.

KEYWORDS:

• 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol
• hanging drop mercury electrode
• nitration
• reduction
• voltammetry