ABSTMCTThe electrochemical behavior of the antitumor agent dacarbazine (DTIC) and its major metabolite, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AIC), on carbon paste electrodes has been studied. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DW) have been applied, showing that both molecules are active in oxidation. Both compounds are oxidized in a two-electron process, presenting a charge transfer coefficients ( p ) of 0.44 +-0.03 and 0.48 2 0.03 for DTIC and AIC, respectively, which indicate slow processes. The oxidation mechanisms proposed for each of these compounds seem to yield the same final product, the 5-hydroxyimidazol-4-carboxamide. DW proved to be a valuable analytical technique that is suitable for distinguishing and analyzing both compounds when the most adequate medium (0.1 M HC104) and operating conditions are chosen.