Enantioseparation of (RS)‐fexofenadine and enhanced detection as the diastereomeric amide and anhydride derivatives using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry

Enantioselective analysis of (RS)‐fexofenadine was carried out by achiral HPLC via a derivatization approach using N‐hydroxy‐benzotriazolyl‐(S)‐naproxen ester (synthesized for this purpose) and three chirally pure amines as chiral derivatizing reagents. There occurred formation of amide and anhydride types of diastereomeric derivatives. These were separated and isolated by HPLC (analytical and preparative). The structures and configurations were verified via recording full‐scan product ion mass spectra using LC‐MS, ¹HNMR spectra, Chem3D Pro 12.0 software and the software Gaussian 09 Rev.A.02 program and hybrid density functional B3LYP with 6‐31G basis set supplemented with polarimetry. Experimental conditions for synthesis and separations were optimized and the elution order was established. Analytical separation was performed on a C₁₈ analytical column with different ratios of MeCN–TEAP buffer and MeOH–TEAP buffer (v/v) adjusted to pH 7.5 as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.7 mL min^‐1. Detection was performed via UV absorbance at 225 nm. The method was validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The detection limits were 6.25 and 7.87 ng mL^‐1 for first and second eluting diastereomeric derivatives, respectively.