Artemisinin and its derivatives represent an important new class antimalarial drug. The peroxide moiety of artemisinin is indispensable for its antimalarial activity. By various electroanalytical methods, the reduction of artemisinin took place at approximately 0.0V (vs.Ag/AgCl) by a two-electron transfer, half wave potential E1/2=0.012mV, the charge transfer coefficient α=0.66, apparent standard rate constant ks'=6.34×10^-^6cm/s, diffusion coefficient D=4.3×10^-^6cm^2/s, the reduced product could be adsorbed on electrode surface. The mechanism of reduction was suggested.

Key words: REACTION MECHANISM, REDUCTION, DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS, ARTEANNUIN, REACTION RATE CONSTANT, MERCURY ELECTRODE