Development and studies of new electrochemical methods for the detection of various biologically and environmentally relevant substances are the focus of this dissertation. A dual amperometric sensor, capable of the simultaneous, real-time determination of NO and O,2, has been developed and optimized. Many tests were performed in order to reduce cross-talking between the two sensors, and an electro-deposited polymer, poly-5-amino-1-naphthol, was shown to reduce the cross-talking to insignificant levels. The use of bismuth-based electrodes in the detection of various metals has been explored. A bismuth bulk electrode has been developed, optimized, and used for the individual and simultaneous determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II). The fundamental electrochemistry of several bismuth-based electrodes in the system used for Cr(VI) analysis has also been explored, and many interactions among the electrode material, ligand, and analyte were observed, particularly the formation of a soluble bismuth-ligand complex. Electrochemical analysis of Cr(VI) was attempted at all of the bismuth-based electrodes, with success at the thin bismuth film electrode. A series of surface modifications were made to the glassy carbon substrate, in an attempt to remove any co-adsorbed contaminants and to understand the sensitivity of the chromium detection process. Inevitably, it was found that the contaminating source was contaminants in the nitrogen gas used for solution deaeration. Upon switching to argon, detection became highly reproducible and showed strong linearity with the Cr(VI) concentration.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), particularly palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt) and rhodium (Rh) have been identified as pollutants in the environment due to their increased use in catalytic converters and mining in South Africa (as well as worldwide). Joining the continuous efforts to alleviate this dilemma, a new electrochemical sensor based on a nanoparticle film transducer has been developed to assess the level of these metals in the environment. The main goal of this study was to exploit the capabilities of nanostructured material for the development and application of an adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for reliable quantification of PGMs in environmental samples. In the study reported in this thesis, glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) surfaces were modified with conducting films of nanostructured reduced graphene oxide-antimony nanoparticles (rGO-SbNPs) for application as electrochemical sensors. The rGO-SbNPs nanocomposite was prepared by Hummer`s synthesis of antimony nanoparticles in reaction medium containing reduced graphene oxide. Sensors were constructed by drop coating of the surfaces of the carbon electrodes with rGO-SbNPs films followed by air-drying. The nanocomposite material was characterised by: scanning and transmission electron miscroscopies; FTIR, UV-Vis and Ramanspectrosocopies; dc voltammetry; and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The real surface area of both electrodes were studied and estimated to be 1.66 × 10⁶ mol cm⁻² and 4.09 × 10³ mol cm⁻² for SPCE/rGO-SbNPs and GCE/rGO-SbNPs, respectively. The film thickness was also evaluated and estimated to be 0.36 cm and 1.69 × 10⁻⁶ cm for SPCE/rGO-SbNPs and GCE/rGO-SbNPs, respectively. Referring to these results, the SPCE/rGO-SbNPs sensor had a better sensitivity than the GCE/rGO-SbNPs sensor. The electroanalytical properties of the PGMs were first studied by cyclic voltammetry followed by indepth stripping voltammetric analysis. The development of the stripping voltammetry methodology involved the optimisation of experimental conditions such as selection of adequate supporting electrolyte, choice of pH and /or concentration of supporting electrolytes, deposition potential, deposition time, stirring conditions. The detection of Pd(II), Pt(II) and Rh(III) in environmental samples were performed SPCE/rGO-SbNPs and GCE/rGO-SbNPs at the optimised experimental conditions For the GCE/rGO-SbNPs sensor, the detection limit was found to be 0.45, 0.49 and 0.49 pg L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) for Pd(II), Pt(II) and Rh(III), respectively. For the SPCE/rGO-SbNPs sensor, the detection limit was found to be 0.42, 0.26 and 0.34 pg L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) for Pd(II), Pt(II) and Rh(III), respectively. The proposed adsorptive differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetric (AdDPCSV) method was found to be sensitive, accurate, precise, fast and robust for the determination of PGMs in soil and dust samples. The simultaneous determination of PGMs was also investigated with promising results obtained. The AdDPCSV sensor performance was compared with that of inductive coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for the determination of PGM ions in soil and dust samples. It was found that though the metals could be determined by ICP-MS technique, it was limited from the standpoints of sensitivity, ease of operation and versatility compared to the AdDPCSV sensor. This study has show cased the successful construction and application of novel SPCE/rGO-SbNPs and GCE/rGO-SbNPs AdDPCSV sensors forthe determination of PGMs in environmental samples (specifically roadside dust and soil samples). The study provides a promising analytical tool for monitoring PGMs pollutants that are produced by automobiles and transported in the environment.

No description available.

A capacidade de ligação de prótons e metais por células vivas da microalga Tetraselmis gracilis (Kylin) butcher foi estudada por titulação potenciométrica e voltametria de redissolução anódica, respectivamente. Dados da titulação alcalimétrica obtidos com uma suspensão de microalga suspensa em NaCl 0,60 mol L-1 a 25,0 ± 0,1 ºC foram tratados por um modelo de distribuição discreta de sítios baseado na linearização das curvas de titulação por funções de Gran modificadas. A concentração total de sítios ionizáveis foi 3,4 x 10-3 mmol g-1, divididos em quatro classes de grupos com pKa 4,4; 5,2; 7,0 e 9,3, cujas abundâncias relativas foram 13, 5,8, 8,2 e 73%, respectivamente. Ligação de Cd(II) e Zn(II) foi estudada em água do mar (pH 8,2) por adições de soluções dos cátion metálicos em soluções simples ou misturas binárias. O cálculo das concentrações dos metais a partir dos dados voltamétricos considerou o agregado célula-metal tendo difusão muito menor do que a do íon livre. Capacidades de adsorção e o logaritmo das constantes de equilíbrio condicionais foram 7,9 ± 0,9 µmol g-1 e 6,9 ± 0,3 L g-1 para Cd(II) e 18,1 ± 0,4 µmol g-1 e 8,8 ± 0,2 L g-1 para Zn(II). Nas titulações com misturas binárias as capacidades de adsorção foram 0,129 ± 0 ,008 e 18,1 ± 0,4 µmol g-1 de Cd(II) e Zn(II), respectivamente, sugerindo que a ligação de Zn(II) inibe a de Cd(II). Entretanto, mesmo na presença de Zn(II) a superfície de alga possui sítios minoritários que se ligam a Cd(II) (log Kads = 7,7 ± 0,2), o que pode causar a bioacumulação desse íon metálico tóxico. / Proton and metal binding capacities of living cells of the microalgae Tetraselmis gracilis (Kylin) butcher were determined by potentiometric titration and anodic stripping voltammetry, respectively. Data of alkalimetric titration of the microalgae suspension obtained in 0.60 mol L-1 NaCl at 25.0 ± 0.1ºC was treated by a discrete site distribution model based on the linearization of the titration curve by modified Gran functions. A total of 3.4 x 10-3 mmol g-1 ionizable sites were determined, divided in four classes of groups with pKa 4.4, 5.2, 7.0 and 9.3, whose relative abundances were 13, 5.8, 8.2 and 73%, respectively. Binding of Cd(II) and Zn(II) was studied in seawater (pH 8.2) by additions of either single metallic species or binary mixtures. Computation of free metal concentrations from the voltammetric data considered the cell-metal aggregates with diffusion coefficient significantly lower than that of free metal ions. Adsorption capacities and the logarithm of the conditional equilibrium constants were 7.9 ± 0.9 µmol g-1 and 6.9 ± 0.3 L g-1 for Cd(II) and 18.1 ± 0.4 µmol g-1 and 8.8 ± 0.2 L g-1 for Zn(II). For titrations with binary mixtures of Cd(II) and Zn(II ) the adsorption capacity of Cd(II) were 0.129 ± 0.008 µmol g-1 and 18.1 ± 0.4 µmol g-1, respectively. The results suggest that binding of Zn(II) inhibits that of Cd(II). However, even in the presence of Zn(II), the alga surface has some minor sites that can bind Cd(II) (log Kads = 7.7 ± 0.2), a process that can lead to bioaccumulation of this toxic metal ion.

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de um método alternativo para determinação de manganês em amostras de cimento e clínquer por voltametria de redissolução catódica por onda quadrada empregando eletrodos de ouro. Após estudos exploratórios acerca do comportamento eletroquímico do manganês no eletrólito suporte H3BO3 0,20 mol L-1 / KCl 0,10 mol L-1 com pH 6,5 e a otimização dos parâmetros operacionais para a voltametria de onda quadrada, foram obtidos excelentes resultados na determinação de manganês nas amostras analisadas. Destacam-se a ótima linearidade, verificada em duas faixas distintas de concentração, e os baixos limites de detecção e quantificação obtidos (3,1 x 10-8 mol L-1 e 9,8 x 10-8 mol L-1, respectivamente), além da concordância entre os resultados obtidos pela técnica eletroanalítica quando comparados aos resultados fornecidos pela espectrometria de absorção atômica de chama (FAAS). Para o tratamento das amostras foi avaliada a eficiência da extração ácida assistida por ultrassom. Foram avaliados ácidos minerais individualmente (HCl, H2SO4 e HClO4 em diferentes concentrações), em mistura ou ainda associados a H2O2. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos utilizando uma solução de HCl 3 mol L-1, que extraiu quantitativamente o manganês nas amostras analisadas. Os resultados obtidos foram concordantes com a metodologia padrão utilizada para a abertura da amostra e posterior análise por espectrometria de absorção atômica de chama, que emprega o aquecimento em chapa e a mesma solução extratora. / This work describes the development and application of a new alternative method for determination of manganese in cement and clinker samples by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry using gold electrodes. After exploratory studies on the electrochemical behavior of manganese in H3BO3 0.20 mol L-1 / KCl 0.10 mol L-1 supporting electrolyte at pH 6.5 and the optimization of operating parameters for the square wave voltammetry, excellent results were obtained for determination of manganese in the samples analyzed. Most notable are the excellent linearity, verified in two distinct concentration bands and the low limits of detection and quantification obtained (3,1 x 10-8 mol L-1 e 9,8 x 10-8 mol L-1, respectively), in addiction to the concordance between the obtained results by the electroanalytical technique when compared to the provided by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. For samples treatment were tested the efficiency of the ultrasound-assisted extraction. Were evaluated individually mineral acids (HCl, H2SO4 and HClO4 at different concentrations) in a mixture or associated with H2O2. the best results were obtained using a 3 mol L-1 HCl solution, which extracted manganese quantitatively from the analysed samples, in comparison to the standard method for extraction, targeting a later atomic absorption flame spectrometry analysis, which uses the plate heating and the same extracting solution. The obtained results for the analysed samples agrees with the cement and clinker samples of the used literature

Nos dias de hoje um grande número de pesticidas é utilizado em colheitas, agricultura, transporte de sementes, entre outros. Esses pesticidas são moléculas orgânicas que apresentam em sua estrutura grupos funcionais capazes de formar ligações com íons metálicos, que de forma natural ou por intervenção humana, são encontradas no solo. Estas espécies entram em contato no meio ambiente, e assim, interagem formando ligações, dando forma aos chamados compostos de coordenação, ou complexos. A formação destes complexos pode alterar significativamente as propriedades dos pesticidas e dos íons metálicos, podendo acentuar seu caráter tóxico, sua persistência e degradação. Neste trabalho foram escolhidos dois pesticidas que são bons exemplos deste tipo de molécula. O fungicida Thiram, que apresenta em sua estrutura átomos de enxofre, e assim interage com uma gama de íons metálicos; e o herbicida picloram, que é um derivado piridínico, o qual apresenta um átomo de nitrogênio com pares de elétrons livres e capazes de formar ligações, e um grupamento ácido na posição dois do anel também capaz de interagir com íons metálicos. Com o intuito de se entender melhor como ocorre estas interações, realizou-se este trabalho onde observou-se a complexação dos pesticidas thiram e picloram com quatro íons metálicos previamente selecionados, zinco, cobre, cádmio e chumbo. Dessa forma, deu-se início a um estudo de complexação utilizando o método de Voltametria de Redissolução Anódica em modo de Pulso Diferencial, a fim de se avaliar a ocorrência desta complexação. Para isso, contamos com duas ferramentas muito utilizadas para a avaliação da capacidade complexante de amostras, os métodos de linearização de Scatchard e Langmuir. Com a técnica utilizada foram levantadas curvas de titulação de amostras contento os pesticidas, e a partir dos dados obtidos aplicou-se os cálculos de Langmuir e Scatchard para se obter dois parâmetros importantes, a constante de estabilidade condicional do complexo formado, K\', e a concentração de ligante que participa da reação de complexação em solução, [L]T. Os dados obtidos com ambos pesticidas foram satisfatórios, indicando a ocorrência de complexos. Porém, observou-se que essa interação é maior entre o fungicida thiram e os respectivos metais do que com o herbicida picloram. As constantes de estabilidade condicional para o fungicida thiram se encontram com Log de K\' entre 6 e 7, enquanto as mesmas para os complexos formados entre o herbicida picloram e os íons metálicos se encontram entre 5 e 6. Para se confirmar as medidas de voltametria de redissolução anódica, foram realizadas medidas de espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta visível, bem como medidas de voltametria cíclica e de pulso diferencial. / Nowadays, numerous pesticides are used in crops, agriculture, transport of seeds, among others. These pesticides are organic molecules that present functional groups in their structure which are capable of forming connections with metallic ions, which, whether naturally or by human intervention, are found in the soil. These species enter in contact in the environment, and thus, they interact forming connections, giving form to the so called compound of coordination, or complex. The formation of these complexes can alter significantly the properties of both the pesticides and the metallic ions, being able to enhance toxic character, persistence and degradation. In this work, two pesticides were chosen for being good examples of this type of molecule. The fungicide Thiram, which presents atoms of sulfur in its structure, and thus interact with a range of metallic ions; and the herbicide picloram, a derived pyridinic, which presents a nitrogen atom with pairs of free electrons and capable of forming binding, and an acid group in the position two of the ring, also capable of interacting with metallic ions. In order to better understand how these interactions occur, this work focused where the complexation of pesticides thiram and picloram was observed with four metallic ions previously selected, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead. Hence, a study of complexation was started using the method of Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry, in order to evaluate the occurrence of the complexation. For that, we counted on two tools very frequently used for the viii evaluation of the metal-binding capacity of samples, namely, the linearization methods of Scatchard and Langmuir. Titration curves of the samples containing the pesticide were obtained using the technique, and starting from the data, the calculations of Langmuir and Scatchard were applied in order to obtain two important parameters, stability conditional constant of the formed compound, K\', as well as the ligand concentration that participates in the reaction complexation in solution, [L]T. The data obtained with both pesticides were satisfactory, indicating the occurrence of complexes. However, it was observed that the interaction is larger between the fungicide thiram and the respective metals than with the herbicide picloram. The constants of conditional stability for the fungicide thiram are with LogK\' between 6 and 7, while the same ones for the compounds formed between the herbicide picloram and the metallic íons are between 5 and 6. To confirm the measures of anodic stripping voltammetry, spectroscopy measures were carried out in the area of the visible ultraviolet, as well as measures of cyclic voltammetry and of differential pulse.

Detection of chromium and vanadium is of interest for biomedical and environmental applications. The two metals have narrow limits between being essential and toxic for humans. Ultra-sensitive techniques have been studied to measure Cr and V at low concentrations found in human blood and environmental samples. Bismuth film and mercury-alloy electrodes have been developed as alternatives to traditional Hg-based electrodes for Cr and V detection. While catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (CAdSV) has been used to detect Cr and V, little is known about the process. The mechanisms of CAdSV have been probed to provide a better understanding of its exceptional sensitivity and selectivity. Near-real time monitoring of plume gas constituents is desired as a diagnostic tool for combustion efficiency, ensuring safe testing conditions and observing releases of green house gasses. Ground testing rockets is a crucial preliminary step that ensures their performance during critical space missions. Optical sol-gel sensors for carbon dioxide have been developed for remote sensing applications. They are inexpensive and are compatible with the harsh environments encountered during rocket plume tests. The sensors are a viable approach to compliment current infrared (IR) measurements for real-time carbon dioxide detection. Additional work on kerosene and isopropyl alcohol sensing has been explored for incorporation into a multi-analyte sensing platform.

A duloxetina (DLX) é um duplo inibidor seletivo balanceado da recaptação de serotonina e norepinefrina empregado para o tratamento do transtorno depressivo maior e para o manejo da dor neuropática diabética periférica. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar métodos analíticos para determinação de DLX em cápsulas e realizar estudos da estabilidade do fármaco. A substância usada como padrão de referência nas análises foi caracterizada por espectroscopia no infravermelho, ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN), calorimetria diferencial de varredura e espectrometria de massas. As análises qualitativas foram realizadas por cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD), espectrofotometria na região do ultravioleta (UV) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) permitindo a identificação do fármaco no produto farmacêutico. A espectrofotometria UV, CLAE e voltametria de redissolução catódica (CSV) foram validadas para determinação quantitativa de DLX em cápsulas. Estes métodos propostos foram específicos, robustos, lineares, precisos e exatos para determinação de DLX em microgrânulos de revestimento entérico. Estudos preliminares da estabilidade da DLX durante o desenvolvimento do método indicativo de estabilidade por CLAE demonstraram que o fármaco foi rapidamente degradado em meio ácido, na presença de peróxido de hidrogênio e de radiação a luz UVC, enquanto que este foi mais estável em meio alcalino. A cinética de degradação descreveu as mudanças na concentração da DLX em condição ácida e sob fotodegradação. A degradação ácida da DLX, em solução de HCl 0,1 M, mostrou cinética aparente de zero ordem e a fotodegradação demonstrou uma cinética aparente de primeira ordem. O produto de degradação principal observado na hidrólise ácida (PDA-14) foi analisado e isolado por CCD preparativa. Espectros de RMN-1H, RMN-13C e COSY foram avaliados e a estrutura do PDA-14 foi confirmada como 1-naftol. Esta substância produz efeitos citotóxicos e consequentemente o produto farmacêutico é uma cápsula de gelatina contendo microgrânulos com revestimento entérico para evitar a degradação ácida da DLX no estômago. / The duloxetine (DLX) is a double balanced selective serotonin and norepinephrinereuptake inhibitor employed for the treatment of major depressive disorder and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to develop and validate analytical methods to the determination of DLX in capsules and accomplish studies of this drug stability. The substance used as reference standard in the analysis was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry, and mass spectrometry. The qualitative analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) allowing the identification of the drug in pharmaceutical dosage form. The UV spectrophotometry, HPLC, and cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) were validated for quantitative determination of the DLX in capsules. These proposed methods were specific, robust, linear, precise, and accurate to the determination of DLX in entericcoated pellets. Preliminary studies of DLX stability during the development of stability-indicating HPLC method demonstrated that the drug was rapidly degraded in acid medium, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and light UVC radiation, while it was more stable in alkali medium. The kinetics of degradation described the concentration changes of DLX in acid condition and on photodegradation. The acid degradation of DLX in 0.1M HCl solution showed apparent zero-order kinetics and the photodegradation demonstrated apparent first-order kinetics. The main degradation product observed in acid hydrolysis (DP-14) was analyzed and isolated by TLC preparative. 1H NMR, 13C NMR and COSY spectra were evaluated and the structure of DP-14 was confirmed as 1-naphthol. This substance produces cytotoxic effects and consequently the finished pharmaceutical dosage form is a gelatin capsule containing enteric-coated pellets to avoid the acid degradation of DLX in the stomach.

A duloxetina (DLX) é um duplo inibidor seletivo balanceado da recaptação de serotonina e norepinefrina empregado para o tratamento do transtorno depressivo maior e para o manejo da dor neuropática diabética periférica. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar métodos analíticos para determinação de DLX em cápsulas e realizar estudos da estabilidade do fármaco. A substância usada como padrão de referência nas análises foi caracterizada por espectroscopia no infravermelho, ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN), calorimetria diferencial de varredura e espectrometria de massas. As análises qualitativas foram realizadas por cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD), espectrofotometria na região do ultravioleta (UV) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) permitindo a identificação do fármaco no produto farmacêutico. A espectrofotometria UV, CLAE e voltametria de redissolução catódica (CSV) foram validadas para determinação quantitativa de DLX em cápsulas. Estes métodos propostos foram específicos, robustos, lineares, precisos e exatos para determinação de DLX em microgrânulos de revestimento entérico. Estudos preliminares da estabilidade da DLX durante o desenvolvimento do método indicativo de estabilidade por CLAE demonstraram que o fármaco foi rapidamente degradado em meio ácido, na presença de peróxido de hidrogênio e de radiação a luz UVC, enquanto que este foi mais estável em meio alcalino. A cinética de degradação descreveu as mudanças na concentração da DLX em condição ácida e sob fotodegradação. A degradação ácida da DLX, em solução de HCl 0,1 M, mostrou cinética aparente de zero ordem e a fotodegradação demonstrou uma cinética aparente de primeira ordem. O produto de degradação principal observado na hidrólise ácida (PDA-14) foi analisado e isolado por CCD preparativa. Espectros de RMN-1H, RMN-13C e COSY foram avaliados e a estrutura do PDA-14 foi confirmada como 1-naftol. Esta substância produz efeitos citotóxicos e consequentemente o produto farmacêutico é uma cápsula de gelatina contendo microgrânulos com revestimento entérico para evitar a degradação ácida da DLX no estômago. / The duloxetine (DLX) is a double balanced selective serotonin and norepinephrinereuptake inhibitor employed for the treatment of major depressive disorder and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to develop and validate analytical methods to the determination of DLX in capsules and accomplish studies of this drug stability. The substance used as reference standard in the analysis was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry, and mass spectrometry. The qualitative analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) allowing the identification of the drug in pharmaceutical dosage form. The UV spectrophotometry, HPLC, and cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) were validated for quantitative determination of the DLX in capsules. These proposed methods were specific, robust, linear, precise, and accurate to the determination of DLX in entericcoated pellets. Preliminary studies of DLX stability during the development of stability-indicating HPLC method demonstrated that the drug was rapidly degraded in acid medium, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and light UVC radiation, while it was more stable in alkali medium. The kinetics of degradation described the concentration changes of DLX in acid condition and on photodegradation. The acid degradation of DLX in 0.1M HCl solution showed apparent zero-order kinetics and the photodegradation demonstrated apparent first-order kinetics. The main degradation product observed in acid hydrolysis (DP-14) was analyzed and isolated by TLC preparative. 1H NMR, 13C NMR and COSY spectra were evaluated and the structure of DP-14 was confirmed as 1-naphthol. This substance produces cytotoxic effects and consequently the finished pharmaceutical dosage form is a gelatin capsule containing enteric-coated pellets to avoid the acid degradation of DLX in the stomach.

A duloxetina (DLX) é um duplo inibidor seletivo balanceado da recaptação de serotonina e norepinefrina empregado para o tratamento do transtorno depressivo maior e para o manejo da dor neuropática diabética periférica. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar métodos analíticos para determinação de DLX em cápsulas e realizar estudos da estabilidade do fármaco. A substância usada como padrão de referência nas análises foi caracterizada por espectroscopia no infravermelho, ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN), calorimetria diferencial de varredura e espectrometria de massas. As análises qualitativas foram realizadas por cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD), espectrofotometria na região do ultravioleta (UV) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) permitindo a identificação do fármaco no produto farmacêutico. A espectrofotometria UV, CLAE e voltametria de redissolução catódica (CSV) foram validadas para determinação quantitativa de DLX em cápsulas. Estes métodos propostos foram específicos, robustos, lineares, precisos e exatos para determinação de DLX em microgrânulos de revestimento entérico. Estudos preliminares da estabilidade da DLX durante o desenvolvimento do método indicativo de estabilidade por CLAE demonstraram que o fármaco foi rapidamente degradado em meio ácido, na presença de peróxido de hidrogênio e de radiação a luz UVC, enquanto que este foi mais estável em meio alcalino. A cinética de degradação descreveu as mudanças na concentração da DLX em condição ácida e sob fotodegradação. A degradação ácida da DLX, em solução de HCl 0,1 M, mostrou cinética aparente de zero ordem e a fotodegradação demonstrou uma cinética aparente de primeira ordem. O produto de degradação principal observado na hidrólise ácida (PDA-14) foi analisado e isolado por CCD preparativa. Espectros de RMN-1H, RMN-13C e COSY foram avaliados e a estrutura do PDA-14 foi confirmada como 1-naftol. Esta substância produz efeitos citotóxicos e consequentemente o produto farmacêutico é uma cápsula de gelatina contendo microgrânulos com revestimento entérico para evitar a degradação ácida da DLX no estômago. / The duloxetine (DLX) is a double balanced selective serotonin and norepinephrinereuptake inhibitor employed for the treatment of major depressive disorder and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to develop and validate analytical methods to the determination of DLX in capsules and accomplish studies of this drug stability. The substance used as reference standard in the analysis was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry, and mass spectrometry. The qualitative analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) allowing the identification of the drug in pharmaceutical dosage form. The UV spectrophotometry, HPLC, and cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) were validated for quantitative determination of the DLX in capsules. These proposed methods were specific, robust, linear, precise, and accurate to the determination of DLX in entericcoated pellets. Preliminary studies of DLX stability during the development of stability-indicating HPLC method demonstrated that the drug was rapidly degraded in acid medium, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and light UVC radiation, while it was more stable in alkali medium. The kinetics of degradation described the concentration changes of DLX in acid condition and on photodegradation. The acid degradation of DLX in 0.1M HCl solution showed apparent zero-order kinetics and the photodegradation demonstrated apparent first-order kinetics. The main degradation product observed in acid hydrolysis (DP-14) was analyzed and isolated by TLC preparative. 1H NMR, 13C NMR and COSY spectra were evaluated and the structure of DP-14 was confirmed as 1-naphthol. This substance produces cytotoxic effects and consequently the finished pharmaceutical dosage form is a gelatin capsule containing enteric-coated pellets to avoid the acid degradation of DLX in the stomach.