Separation,Characterization, and Quantification of Atorvastatin and Related Impurities by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

A method coupling high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ) has been developed for the separation and characterization of atorvastatin and its related impurities. The results obtained using positive ion mode showed some diagnostic fragments that are useful for the identification of atorvastatin related impurities in real samples. Quantitative analysis of drug impurities was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Quantification limits for impurities were in the ranges 21.5–70.8 ng mL^?1. The method was successfully applied to the drug purity evaluation and quantitative determination of atorvastatin related impurities in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations.