The electrochemical response of two biologically important phenazine derivatives was examined by using cyclic, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry in a wide pH range of 2.0 -12.0. Cyclic voltammetry was employed for the determination of heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant and diffusion coefficient of the analytes. The value of electron transfer rate constant was used for evaluation of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy changes of redox reactions of the compounds. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for the determination of number of protons and electrons involved in the redox processes. Limits of detection and quantification were assessed by square wave voltammetry. The detailed pH dependent redox mechanisms of the compounds were proposed on the basis of experimental results which were further supported by theoretical calculations. These redox mechanistic pathways are expected to play a key role in understanding the necessary aspects of structure-activity relationships and exploring the hidden routes by which this class of compounds exert its biochemical actions. Phenazines have broad range applications in biology and chemistry.1 This class constitutes a large group of nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds, the members of which differ in their chemical and physical properties on the basis of type and position of functional groups present. Naturally, phenazines are produced by limited genera of bacteria including Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Brevibacterium.2 Starting from different parent materials, phenazines can be synthesized by various reactions including oxidative condensation, electrochemical reduction, reductive cyclization and photochemical reactions.From the last 50 years, phenazines are the subject of extensive research investigations because of their broad range applications in pharmaceutical and clinical research.3 Such compounds have been reported for their wide variety of biological activities such as antitumor, anti-parasitic and antibiotic activities. Benzo [a] phenazine acts as efficient DNA intercalating ligand with antitumor activity in leukaemia and solid tumors. 4 1-Hydroxyphenazine has been reported to have promising antifungal activity against various microbes such as aspergillus fumigatus and candida albicans.5 Macrolactone synthesized from benzo [a] phenazine shows good activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis. 6 In general, natural and synthetic phenazines find useful applications against malaria 7 and hepatitis C viral replication.
8The biological activity of phenazines is due to their redox reactions leading to the formation of toxic radicals. 9 Different functional groups attached to phenazine determine their redox potential and solubility. The redox behavior and concomitant modulation of biological activities of phenazines by changing the nature and position of substituents attached to their aromatic rings have been reported by several research groups.10-12 Phenazines can alter cellular redox states and act as transporters of electrons to altern...