Polarography of eosin and erythrosin in solutions of varying pH at the DME

The polarographic behaviour of eosin and erythrosin in buffer solutions of pH 4–11 is discussed. The observed waves are assigned to the reduction of furan and pyrone rings of the molecule of erythrosin at pH 4–11 and for eosin at pH ?7. The nature of the waves is also investigated. In alkaline media the electrode reaction is essentially diffusion controlled whereas at pH < 8 adsorption of the reduction products contributes in the electrodes process.