Simultaneous determination of yohimbine and boldine by first-derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry

A method for the simultaneous determination of yohimbine and boldine in mixtures by first-derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry has been developed. The method is based on their native fluorescence in 0.1N sulphuric acid medium. The constant wavelength difference chosen to optimize the determination was =_em -_em=82 nm. Yohimbine was measured at _ex//_em= 285/367 nm, and boldine at _ex/_em=272/354 nm. The range of application is 10–500 g/l for yohimbine and 1–50 g/l for boldine. The method was applied to the determination of yohimbine and boldine in synthetic mixtures and pharmaceuticals, with errors generally 2%. Relative standard deviations were about 2%.Dedicated to Professor Fermin Capitán on his 72th birthday