Electrochemical Oxidation of Zopiclone and Identification of its Oxidation Products

Zopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine short-acting hypnotic drug. As a cyclopyrrolone derivative, it belongs to a novel chemical class which is structurally unrelated to existing hypnotics. In present work, electrochemical behaviour of zopiclone was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, differential pulse adsorption stripping voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Oxidation products of zopiclone formed during controlled potential electrolysis were analysed using mass spectrometry in off-line as well as on-line coupling. Two main oxidation products were identified as N-desmethyl zopiclone and zopiclone N-oxide.