Pharmaceutical formulation analysis of thalidomide by solid surface room temperature phosphorimetry

A rapid and simple method of analysis for thalidomide formulations has been reported based on solid surface room temperature phosphorimetry. Thalidomide phosphorescence was enhanced by Hg(II) ions deposited on paper substrates previously treated for background reduction. A calibration curve with a linear dynamic range of three orders of magnitude was obtained (1.37 × 10^–6M – 10^–3M) and a 1.8 ng absolute limit of detection was estimated. The recovery of the method was tested in pharmaceutical formulations containing thalidomide as the only active ingredient. The values obtained were 96.3 ± 6.6% (employing the calibration curve procedure) and 98.0 ± 5.3% (employing the standard addition procedure), which show the potential of the technique for the analysis of thalidomide in dosage forms.