Spectrophotometric determination of clozapine in pharmaceuticals

New Spectrophotometric methods for the assay of clozapine (CZP) in pure and dosage forms are described. Method A is based on the oxidative coupling reaction of CZP with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) in the presence of ceric ammonium sulphate to form a coloured species (_max 570 nm). Method B is also based on the oxidative coupling reaction of CZP withP-,N,N-dimethylpheny-lenediamine dihydrochloride (DMPD) in the presence of sodium hypochlorite to form a coloured species (_max 690 nm). Method C is based on the formation of coloured charge-transfer complex between CZP and chloranilic acid (_max 540 nm). Regression analysis of Beer-Lambert plots showed good correlation in the concentration ranges 2–25, 10–120 and 15–300 g/ml for methods A, B and C, respectively. The validity of the proposed methods was tested by analysing pharmaceutical dosage forms containing CZP and the relative standard deviation values were within 1.0%.     

Determination of clozapine and its major metabolites in human serum using automated solid-phase extraction and subsequent isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet detection is described for the quantification of the atypical neuroleptic clozapine and its major metabolites, N-desmethylclozapine and clozapine N-oxide, in human serum or plasma. The method included automated solid-phase extraction on C18 reversed-phase material. Clozapine and its metabolites were separated by HPLC on a C18 ODS Hypersil analytical column (5 microns particle size; 250 mm x 4.6 mm I.D.) using an acetonitrile-water (40:60, v/v) eluent buffered with 0.4% (v/v) N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and acetic acid to pH 6.5. Imipramine served as internal standard. After extraction of 1 ml of serum or plasma, as little as 5 ng/ml of clozapine and 10 or 20 ng/ml of the metabolites were detectable. Linearity was found for drug concentrations between 5 and 2000 ng/ml as indicated by correlation coefficients of 0.998 to 0.985. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation ranged between 1 and 20%. Interferences with other psychotropic drugs such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants or neuroleptics were negligible. In all samples, collected from schizophrenic patients who had been treated with daily oral doses of 75-400 mg of clozapine, the drug and its major metabolite, N-desmethylclozapine, could be detected, while the concentrations of clozapine N-oxide were below 20 ng/ml in three of sixteen patients. Using the method described here, data regarding relations between therapeutic or toxic effects and drug blood levels or metabolism may be collected in clinical practice to improve the therapeutic efficacy of clozapine drug treatment.     

Liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric determination of trandolapril in human plasma

A liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of trandolapril in human plasma has been developed and fully validated. The article describes, in detail, the bioanalytical procedure and summarizes the validation results obtained. The samples were extracted using HLB Oasis solid-phase extraction cartridges. The chromatographic separation was performed on X-Terra C8 MS column (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle size) using a mobile phase consisting of acetic acid 20 mM and triethylamine 4.3 mM/acetonitrile (40:60 (v/v)), pumped isocratically at 0.35 ml/min.

The analytes were detected using a micromass quattro micro triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. Tandem mass spectrometric detection enabled the quantitation of trandolapril down to 2.0 ng/ml. Calibration graphs were linear (r better than 0.996, n = 9) in the concentration ranges 2.0–750 ng/ml and the intra- and inter-day R.S.D. values were less than 3.83 and 3.86% for trandolapril.     

A computational analysis of the structural features and reactive behavior of some heterocyclic aromatic N-oxides

An ab initio self-consistent-field molecular orbital analysis of the structural features and reactive behavior of pyridine, pyrazine and some of their N-oxide and nitro derivatives has been carried out. Optimized structures have been computed at the 6-31G^* level, yielding geometries in good agreement with experiment. These structures have been used to compute STO-5G electrostatic potentials and average local ionization energies on the respective molecular surfaces. There is considerable conjugation between the N-oxide groups and the aromatic rings, leading to significant para-quinonoid influence, manifested both in terms of structures and reactive properties. The charge-donor role of the N-oxide group allows the aromatic ring in pyridine N-oxide to be susceptible to electrophiles (at the para position) as well as nucleophiles; however, the rings in the pyrazine oxides are only receptive to the latter. The local ionization energies have permitted predictions of pK_a values for pyrazine N-oxide and p-nitropyridine.     

Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Part I. Vibrational frequencies of the OH group in some picolinic acid N-oxides predicted from DFT calculated potentials and located in the infrared spectra

Hydrogen bonding in picolinic acid N-oxide (I), its 4-nitro (III), 4-methoxy (IV), 4-amino (V) derivatives and in quinaldic acid N-oxide (II) was characterized by calculations (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) of metric parameters, H-bond energies and one-dimensional proton potential functions with vibrational energy levels. Solvent effects were estimated by the SCRF PCM method of Tomasi and coworkers (J. Tomasi, M. Persico, Chem. Rev. 94 (1994) 2027). The potential functions are strongly asymmetric with the energy minimum placed near the carboxylic oxygen. The inflection near the NO oxygen develops into a second, shallower minimum under the SCRF.

Empirical assignments of the OH stretching and bending modes were made for (I)–(IV). The stretchings of (I, II) and (IV) in various solvents are observed in the region 1600–1300 cm⁻¹, but near 2600 cm⁻¹ for (III). The calculated and observed frequencies are in fairly good agreement with theoretical predictions reflecting the electronic effects of the substituents upon the H-bond strength. The observed trends in the solvent effects upon various parameters characterizing the H-bonding also correspond to predictions.     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of risperidone and its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone in human plasma

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of risperidone (RSP) and its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RSP) in human plasma. The analytes were extracted from human plasma by using the protein precipitation extraction technique. Methyl risperidone was used as internal standard for RSP and 9-OH-RSP. A Betasil C18 column provided chromatographic separation of analytes followed by detection with mass spectrometry. The mass transition ion-pair was followed as m/z 411.28 --> 191.15 for RSP and m/z 427.30 --> 207.10 for 9-OH-RSP. The method involves a simple extraction, isocratic chromatography conditions and mass spectrometric detection that enable detection at sub-nanogram levels. The proposed method has been validated with a linear range of 0.10-15.0 ng/mL for RSP and 9-OH-RSP. The intrarun and interrun precision and accuracy values were within 15%. The overall recoveries for RSP and 9-OH-RSP were 82.1% and 83.2%, respectively. The total analysis time was as low as 3.0 min only. The developed method was applied for the determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of RSP and 9-OH-RSP following a single oral administration of a 1 mg RSP tablet in 24 healthy male volunteers.     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of olanzapine, risperidone, 9-hydroxyrisperidone, clozapine, haloperidol and ziprasidone in rat plasma

A simple, sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of olanzapine, clozapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol, risperidone, and its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone, in rat plasma using midazolam as internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma using a single step liquid-liquid extraction technique. The compounds were separated on a Waters Atlantis dC-18 (30 mm x 2.1 mm i.d., 3 microm) column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/5 mM ammonium formate (pH 6.1 adjusted with formic acid) with gradient elution. All of the analytes were detected in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The method was validated and the specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), precision, accuracy, recoveries and stability were determined. LLOQ was 0.1 ng/mL and correlation coefficient (R(2)) values for the linear range of 0.1-100 ng/mL were 0.997 or greater for all the analytes. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were better than 8.05%. The relative and absolute recovery was above 77% and matrix effects were low for all the analytes except for ziprasidone. This validated method has been successfully used to quantify the plasma concentration of the analytes after chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs.     

Simultaneous determination of clozapine, norclozapine and clozapine-N-oxide in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of clozapine and its two major metabolites, norclozapine and clozapine-N-oxide in human plasma has been developed and validated. The isocratic HPLC assay uses a mobile phase consisting of an acetonitril-buffered aqueous solution containing 146 microL of triethylamine and 200 microL of 85% phosphoric acid, adjusted to pH 3.3 with 10% potassiumhydroxide solution (400:600, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.8 ml/min and a Lichrospher 100 RP-18 reversed-phase column and UV detection at 215 nm. Doxepine was used as the internal standard. Mean recoveries for clozapine, norclozapine, clozapine-N-oxide and doxepine were 95%, 98%, 96% and 94%, respectively, whereas the respective mean repeatability coefficients of variation were 3.4%, 2.7%, 4.3% and 0.9%. Reproducibility coefficients of variation were 1.3%, 1.8%, 3.6% and 0.5%, respectively. The mean correlation coefficient for the linear calibration curve (n = 2) for clozapine and norclozapine at a concentration range of 100-1600 ng/mL was 0.9998 and 0.9997, respectively; for clozapine-N-oxide (20-200 ng/mL) it was found to be 0.9986. The lower limits of quantitation were 12.5 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL and 12.5 ng/mL for clozapine, norclozapine and clozapine-N-oxide, respectively.     

Quantitative determination of clozapine in serum by instrumental planar chromatography

An instrumental planar chromatographic (HPTLC) method for quantitative analysis of clozapine in human serum was developed and validated. Clozapine was extracted with n-hexane-isoamyl alcohol (75:25 v/v). The chromatographic separation was achieved on precoated silica gel F 254 HPTLC plates using a mixture of chloroform and methanol (9:1 v/v) as mobile phase. Quantitative analyses were carried out by densitometry at a wavelength of 290 nm. The method was linear between 10 and 100 ng/spot, corresponding to 0.10 and 1.00 ng/microL of clozapine in human serum after extraction process and applying 10 microL to the chromatographic plates. The method correlation coefficient was 0.999. The intra-assay variation was between 2.10 and 3.33% (n = 5) and the interassay was between 2.67 and 4.44% (n = 9). The detection limit was 0.03 ng/microL, and the quantification limit was 0.05 ng/microL. The method proved to be accurate, with a recovery between 97.00 and 99.00%, with an RSD not higher than 7.22%, and was selective for the active principle tested. This method was successfully applied to quantify clozapine in patient serum samples. In conclusion, the method is useful for the quantitative determination of clozapine in serum.     

Conformational isomers in the photocyclodimerization of N-acylated dibenz[b,f]azepine derivatives

The benzophenone-sensitised photodimerizations of N-acetyl- and N-propionyldibenz[e,f]azepine were investigated in acetone as the solvent. In both the systems, the ¹H NMR analysis of the products revealed two isomeric photodimers differing in the chemical shifts and coupling constants of the cyclobutane protons, aromatic protons and the protons of the acetyl or propionyl group. Upon raising the temperature to ca. 70 °C the signals merge. The findings can be ascribed to a single thermally restricted conformational process such as the rotation about the C–N amide bond. The process exhibits free activation energies: ΔG^#=(74±2) kJ mol⁻¹ (N-acetyl) and ΔG^#=(70±2) kJ mol⁻¹ (N-propionyl).     

An improved HPLC-ED method for monitoring plasma levels of clozapine and its active metabolites in schizophrenic patients

Summary An HPLC method with electrochemical detection has been developed for the determination of clozapine and its main metabolites, desmethylclozapine and clozapine N-oxide, in human plasma. An accurate pretreatment of the biological samples was implemented by means of solid phase extraction (SPE) on HLB cartridges. This improved pretreatment, together with a new mobile phase, allows for the accurate determination of clozapine N-oxide, which could not be quantitated by a previous method. The method uses only 100 μL of plasma for one complete analysis and shows good recovery values for all three analytes. The eluates from the SPE procedure were chromatographed in a reversed phase C18 column using a mobile phase composed of phosphate buffer, acetonitrile and methanol. Clozapine, desmethylclozapine and clozapine N-oxide were eluted in less than 10 minutes, without any interference from the biological matrix. Linearity was observed over the 2.50–150 ng mL⁻¹ (clozapine and desmethylclozapine) or 1.25–75 ng mL⁻¹ clozapine N-oxide) range for the three analytes, with satisfactory repeatability values. The limit of detection was 0.3 ng mL⁻¹ for clozapine and desmethylclozapine, samples of patients treated with Leponex gave good results. No interference from other common central nervous system drugs was found. This method seems to be a useful tool for pharmacokinetic studies and for clinical monitoring, because of its need for small plasma samples and its high sensitivity and selectivity.     

N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamides and their dinuclear pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes

The preparation, spectroscopic characterization and magnetic study of N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamidate-bridged nickel(II) dinuclear complexes of formula {[Ni(N₃-mc)]₂(μ-CONC₆H₄-X)}(PF₆)₂ (N₃-mc = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclo-dodec-1-ene (Me₃-N₃-mc) or 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (Me₄-N₃-mc), X = 2-Cl, 4-Cl, 2-OCH₃, 4-OCH₃) are reported. These paramagnetic nickel(II) complexes have been characterized by both one- and two-dimensional (COSY) ¹H NMR techniques. The COSY spectrum of 5 has allowed to achieve the assignment of the phenyl protons of the N,N′-diphenyloxamidate. The crystal structures of [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (6), [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-OMe)]₂(PF₆)₂ (8) and [Ni(Me₄-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-2-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (9) have been determined and their magnetic properties have been studied. The value of magnetic coupling between the two nickel(II) ions across the oxamidate bridge [J = − 37.6 (6), −39.9 (8) and −39.7 cm⁻¹ (9)] is sensitive to the distortion of the coordination sphere of the metal ions and the topology of the molecular bridge.     

Analysis of scopolamine and its eighteen metabolites in rat urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method is described for the determination of scopolamine and its metabolites in rat urine by combining liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Various extraction techniques (free fraction, acid hydrolyses and enzyme hydrolyses) and their comparison were carried out for investigation of the metabolism of scopolamine. After extraction procedure, the pretreated samples were injected into a reversed-phase C18 column with mobile phase of methanol/ ammonium acetate (2 mM, adjusted to pH 3.5 with formic acid) (70:30, v/v) and detected by an on-line MS/MS system. Identification and structural elucidation of the metabolites were performed by comparing their changes in molecular masses (ΔM), retention-times and full scan MSⁿ spectra with those of the parent drug. The results revealed that at least 18 metabolites (norscopine, scopine, tropic acid, aponorscopolamine, aposcopolamine, norscopolamine, hydroxyscopolamine, hydroxyscopolamine N-oxide, p-hydroxy-m-methoxyscopolamine, trihydroxyscopolamine, dihydroxy-methoxyscopolamine, hydroxyl-dimethoxyscopolamine, glucuronide conjugates and sulfate conjugates of norscopolamine, hydroxyscopolamine and the parent drug) and the parent drug existed in urine after ingesting 55 mg/kg scopolamine to healthy rats. Hydroxyscopolamine, p-hydroxy-m-methoxyscopolamine and the parent drug were detected in rat urine for up 106 h after ingestion of scopolamine.     

On-line coupling of sequential injection extraction with restricted-access materials and post-column derivatization for sample clean-up and determination of propranolol in human plasma

The presented paper deals with a new methodology for direct determination of propranolol in human plasma. The methodology described is based on sequential injection analysis technique (SIA) coupled with solid phase extraction (SPE) column based on restricted access materials (RAM). Special RAM column containing 30 μm polymeric material—N-vinylacetamide copolymer was integrated into the sequential injection manifold. SIA–RAM system was used for selective retention of propranolol, while the plasma matrix components were eluted with two weak organic solutions to waste.

Due to the acid–basic and polarity properties of propranolol molecule and principles of reversed-phase chromatography, it was possible to retain propranolol on the N-vinylacetamide copolymer sorbent (Shodex MSpak PK-2A 30 μm (2 mm × 10 mm)). Centrifuged plasma samples were aspirated into the system and loaded onto the column using acetonitrile–water (5:95, v/v), pH 11.00, adjusted by triethylamine. The analyte was retained on the column while proteins contained in the sample were removed to waste. Interfering endogenous substances complicating detection were washed out by acetonitrile–water (15:85), pH 11.00 in the next step. The extracted analyte was eluted by means of tetrahydrofuran–water (25:75), pH 11.00 to the fluorescence detector (emission filter 385 nm). The whole procedure comprising sample pre-treatment, analyte detection and column reconditioning took about 15 min. The recoveries of propranolol from undiluted plasma were in the range 96.2–97.8% for three concentration levels of analyte. The proposed SIA–RAM method has been applied for direct determination of propranolol in human plasma.     

Molecular and crystal structures of N,N′-propylene- and N,N′-phenylene-diylbis [3-(1-aminoethyl)-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4(3H)-dione]

Two macrocyclic ligands, N,N′-propylene-diylbis[3-(1-aminoethyl)-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4(3H)-dione] I and N,N′-phenylene-diylbis[3-(1-aminoethyl)-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4(3H)-dione] II, have been prepared by the condensation of dehydroacetic acid (3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one) with 1,2-phenylenediamine and 1,3-propylenediamine. They have been characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray crystallography. The molecular structures of the compounds I and II can be described as consisting of two β-enaminone-2-pyrone rings interlaced with either alkyl chain in I or phenyl ring in II. The X-ray studies confirmed the existence of strong N–HO intramolecular hydrogen bonds in both structures. Their lengths are in accordance to lengths of RAHB intramolecular hydrogen bonds in 1,3-diketones, aryl-hydrazones, β-enaminones and related heterodienes (2.5–2.6 Å) [P. Gilli, V. Bertolasi, V. Ferretti and G. Gilli, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 122 (2000) 10405].     

Synthesis of N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dibutyl malonamide functionalized polymer and its sorption affinities towards U(VI) and Th(IV) ions

A novel chelating polymeric material was synthesized by chemical anchoring of N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dibutyl malonamide (DMDBMA) with chloromethylated polystyrene-divinyl benzene polymer. The polymeric material thus prepared was characterized by ¹³C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and CHN elemental analysis. The fabricated polymeric material exhibited superior binding for hexa-valent and tetra-valent metal ions such as U(VI) and Th(IV). Various physico-chemical properties of the functionalized polymer like phase adsorption kinetics, metal sorption mechanism and metal sorption capacity was studied in the static method. Adsorption kinetics studies show that <20 min was sufficient for >99.99% adsorption of Th(IV) and U(VI). The kinetics for adsorption of U(VI) and Th(IV) was found to follow the first order Lagergren rate kinetics. Adsorption of U(VI) on the malonamide functionalized polymer followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption phenomenon was also confirmed by the theoretical approach calculated based on the adsorption kinetics. The metal sorption capacities for uranium and thorium were found to be 18.78 ± 1.53 mg and 15.74 ± 1.59 mg/g of the chelating polymer at 3 M HNO₃, respectively.     

Electronic structure of N-sulfonylimines

The electronic structure of N-sulfonylimines has been studied in detail using ab initio MO and density functional methods. The S–N rotational barriers in HS(O)₂N=CH₂ at G2MP2 and CBS-Q levels have been found to be 3.25 and 3.43 kcal/mol respectively. Complete optimization at HF/6-31+G^*, MP2(full)/6-31+G^* and B3LYP/6-31+G^* levels have shown that synperiplanar arrangement of S–O with respect to C=N is more stable. NBO analysis has been carried out to quantitatively estimate these delocalisations and charge polarization in RS(O)₂N=CH₂ (R=H, Me, Cl, F). The Lewis basic character in N-sulfonylimines is less compared to N-alkylimines due to anomeric interactions that reduce the lone pair electron density on nitrogen in 1.     

Vibrational intensities of liquid N-methylpiperidine

Thin film transmission spectra of liquid N-methylpiperidine were measured in the 4000–500 cm⁻¹ region, using cells of thicknesses ranging from 1 to 8.2 μm. The spectra of both components of the complex refractive index were determined from these data in the mid-IR. Vibrational intensities and other spectral data were calculated from the k(ν) spectrum. In this region 41 bands were detected and quantitatively described. The assignment of numerous bands was carried out. The results were compared with available literature data.     

Radiation polymerization of thermo-sensitive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)

Temperature-sensitive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) both in water-soluble state and in gel was prepared by γ-radiation polymerization. The effects of radiation dose, radiation dose rate and monomer concentration on polymerization and the low critical solution temperature characteristics of the polymer were studied. The results show that the polymer prepared within certain radiation dose (beyond 2 kGy) and dose rate range (2–14 Gy/min) has good temperature sensitivity and uniformity.     

A fast,sensitive, and high‐throughput method for the simultaneous quantitation of three ellagitannins from Euphorbiae pekinensis Radix in rat plasma by ultra‐HPLC–MS/MS

A fast, sensitive, and high‐throughput ultra‐HPLC–MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of three main active constituents of Euphorbiae pekinensis Radix in rat plasma. After addition of the internal standard, plasma samples were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate/isopropanol (1:1, v/v) and separated on a CAPCELL PAK C₁₈ column (100 × 2.0 mm, 2 μm, Shiseido, Japan), using a gradient mobile phase system of methanol/water. The detection of the analytes was performed on a 4000Q UHPLC–MS/MS system with turbo ion spray source in the negative ion and multiple reaction‐monitoring mode. The linear range was 1.0–1000 ng/mL for 3,3′‐di‐O‐methyl ellagic acid‐4′‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (i), 1.5–1500 ng/mL for 3,3′‐di‐O‐methyl ellagic acid‐4′‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranoside (ii), and 5.0–5000 ng/mL for 3,3′‐di‐O‐methyl ellagic acid (iii). The intra‐ and interday precision and accuracy of all the analytes were within 15%. The extraction recoveries of the three analytes and internal standard from plasma were all more than 80%. The validated method was first successfully applied to the evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters of compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 in rat plasma after intragastric administration of the Euphorbiae pekinensis Radix extract.