Characterization of poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylonitrile)s obtained by low‐temperature radiation polymerization and thermal degradation behavior measured by Py‐GC and CRTG

Poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylonitrile)s were polymerized in solutions with different polarities (n‐hexane and THF) by low‐temperature γ‐ray irradiation polymerization in a temperature range of −83.6–30 °C. It was found by IR measurement that the composition of the copolymers changed remarkably due to the effects of the polarity of solvents and the polymerization temperature. The thermal degradation behavior in the flash pyrolysis and in the continuous heating pyrolysis of these copolymers was measured by Py‐GC and controlled rate thermogravimetry (CRTG). The effects of the copolymer composition and sequence distribution on the thermal degradation behavior were investigated. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3569–3577, 2000     

Molecular identification of Asian lacquers from different trees using Py‐GC/MS and ToF‐SIMS

Traditional Asian lacquers are natural products with highly valued properties, including beauty, gloss, and durability. Pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is the technique of choice to study insoluble polymeric lacquer films. In the present study, pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry results showed that the pyrolysis products of lacquer films were different for all of the studied trees, with urushiol derivatives detected in Toxicodendron vernicifluum from China, Japan, and Korea; laccol in Toxicodendron succedaneum from Vietnam; and thitsiol in Gluta usitata from Myanmar. Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) was also used to characterize the Asian lacquers, avoiding the time‐consuming and destructive processes of other techniques. The ToF‐SIMS spectra provided structural characterization of a series of urushiol, laccol, and thitsiol derivatives for T vernicifluum from China, Japan, and Korea; T succedaneum from Vietnam; and G usitata from Myanmar, respectively. To differentiate the ToF‐SIMS results for the different Asian lacquer films, principal component analysis was used because it can extract differences in the spectra and indicate what peaks are responsible for these differences. The results indicate that lacquer films from different lacquer trees can be very different. Therefore, ToF‐SIMS with principal component analysis is suitable for the characterization and differentiation of Asian lacquer films in cultural heritage applications.     

A novel intumescent flame‐retardant LDPE system and its thermo‐oxidative degradation and flame‐retardant mechanisms

A carbonization agent, 3,9‐di (2‐hydroxyisopropyl)‐2,4,8,10‐tetraoxa‐3,9‐diphosphaspiro‐[5,5]‐undecane (SPEPO), was synthesized from pentaerythritol (PER), phosphorus trichloride, formic acid, and acetone as raw materials. The structure of SPEPO was characterized by FTIR and ¹H‐NMR. As a carbonization agent and an acid source, SPEPO can form a novel intumescent flame‐retardant (IFR) system for low density polyethylene (LDPE) together with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and melamine phosphate (MP). The flame retardancy and thermal behavior of the IFR system for LDPE were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). When the weight ratio of SPEPO, APP, and MP is 7:7:1 and their total loading level is 30%, the IFR‐LDPE presents the optimal flame retardancy (LOI value of 27.6 and UL‐94 V‐0 rating). However, SPEPO, APP, or MP can only show a very poor flame‐retardant performance when used alone. This indicates that there is a synergistic effect among SPEPO, APP, and MP. TGA results obtained in air demonstrate that SPEPO has an ability of char formation itself, and the char residue of SPEPO can reach 24 wt% at 700°C. The IFR can change the thermal degradation behavior of LDPE, enhance T_max of the decomposition peak of LDPE, and promote LDPE to form char based on the calculated and the experimental data of residues. According to the results of Py‐GC/MS in combination with FTIR of the char residues at different temperatures, a possible flame‐retardant mechanism has been proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The utilization of TG/GC/MS in the establishment of the mechanism of poly(styrene) degradation

General purpose poly(styrene) is a large volume commodity polymer used in a variety of applications. It is widely used in food packaging, particularly for baked goods. In this application, the presence of styrene monomer, which has a distinctive taste and aroma, cannot be tolerated. Processing of the polymer and forming of the food container at an unacceptably high temperature leads to the formation of styrene monomer and finished articles with unacceptable aroma characteristics. An examination of the thermal degradation of poly(styrene) has revealed the origin of monomer formation. The thermal decomposition of poly(styrene) has been widely studied. However, most studies have been carried out at high temperature (>300°C) where many processes are occurring simultaneously. Degradation at lower temperature, 280°C, occurs in two well-defined steps. The first is thermolysis of a head-to-head bond present in the mainchain as a consequence of polymerization termination by radical coupling. This generates macroradicals which smoothly depolymerize to expel styrene monomer. The nature of the degradation is readily apparent from kinetic analysis of the isothermal thermogravimetry (TG) data and the identity of the single volatile product may be readily established by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the effluent from the TG analysis.     

The degradation mechanism of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s in an oxidative environment

The degradation of sulfonated aromatic hydrocarbons based polymer electrolyte membranes is an important issue for fuel cell stability. However, its mechanism is relatively unclear. We have conducted accelerated radical tests and degradation product analysis for various sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPES) compounds. We evaluated the chemical durability of SPES, and observed its degradation mechanism under oxidative attack by hydrogen peroxide. Various SPES compounds were synthesized from 4,4′-biphenol, 4,4′-dihydroxy diphenyl sulfone, and 4,4′-dihydroxy benzophenone comonomers, and their physical properties were evaluated. SPES copolymerized with 4,4′-dihydroxy diphenyl sulfone had a higher durability towards oxidative attack compared with the other compounds studied, and SPES copolymerized with 4,4′-dihydroxy benzophenone exhibited the lowest durability.     

Thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of poly(hydroxy ether of bisphenol-A) studied by TGA/FTIR and TGA/MS

The nature and the extent of degradation of poly(hydroxy ether of bisphenol-A) phenoxy resin were analysed by thermogravimetry (TGA/DTGA) under nitrogen and air atmosphere. Decomposition kinetics were elucidated according to Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Friedman and Kissinger methods. The evolved gases during degradation were inspected by a thermogravimetry analyser coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (TGA/FTIR) and also with a TGA coupled to a Mass Spectrometer (TGA/MS). Mass spectra showed that chemical species evolved in phenoxy decomposition in air were very similar to those assigned from degradation in nitrogen (water, methane, CO, CO₂, phenol, acetone, etc.). However, these species appear in different amount and at different temperatures in both atmospheres. FTIR analysis of the evolved products showed that water and methane were the beginning decomposition products, indicating that decomposition is initiated by dehydration and cleavage of C-CH₃ bond in the bisphenol-A unit of phenoxy resin. After this initial stage, random chain scission is the main degradation pathway. Nevertheless, in air atmosphere, previously the complete decomposition of the phenoxy obtaining fundamentally CO₂, and water, the formation of an insulated surface layer of crosslinked structures has been proposed.     

调味品中氯丙醇的GC/ECD和GC/MS/MS衍生化检测方法研究及应用

报道了调味品中氯丙醇的衍生化气相色谱(GC／ECD)和衍生化气相色谱双串联质谱法(GC／MS／MS)测定。GC／ECD测定酱油中3—氯—1，2—丙二醇(3—MCPD)的检出限达到0．01mg／kg，回收率为91％～104％，变异系数为2．27％～7．96％；GC／MS／MS同时测定酱油中1，3—二氯—2—丙醇、2，3—二氯—1—丙醇和3—氯—1，2—丙二醇，1，3—二氯—2—丙醇、2，3—二氯—1—丙醇的检出限为0．02mg／kg，3—氯—1，2—丙二醇的检出限为0．01mg／kg，回收率在92％～106％，变异系数为3．51％～13．33％。     

Thermal degradation behaviour of aromatic poly(ester-amide) with pendant phosphorus groups investigated by pyrolysis-GC/MS

The thermal stability of a novel phosphorus-containing aromatic poly(ester-amide) ODOP-PEA was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The weight of ODOP-PEA fell slightly at the temperature range of 300-400 °C in the TGA analysis, and the major weight loss occurred at 500 °C. The structural identification of the volatile products resulted from the ODOP-PEA pyrolysis at different temperatures was performed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS). The P-C bond linked between the pendant DOPO group and the polymer chain disconnected first at approximately 275 °C, indicating that it is the weakest bond in the ODOP-PEA. The P-O bond in the pendant DOPO group was stable up to 300 °C. The cleavage of the ester linkage within the polymer main chain initiated at 400 °C, and the amide bond scission occurred at greater than 400 °C. The structures of the decomposition products were used to propose the degradation processes happening during the pyrolysis of the polymer.     

Thermal degradation of poly(arylene sulfide sulfone)/N-methylpyrrolidone crystal solvate

<正>The thermal degradation of poly(arylene sulfide sulfone)/N-methylpyrrolidone(PASS/NMP) crystal solvate was studied by thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and was compared with pure PASS in order to determine the way in which the formation of the crystal solvate affected the thermal properties of the polymer.The activation energy of the solid state process was determined using Kissinger's method,which does not require knowledge of the reaction mechanism(RM),to be 174.18 kJ/mol which was lower than that for pure PASS(E=214 kJ/mol).The study of master curves together with interpretation of integral methods,allows confirmation that the thermal degradation mechanism for PASS in the crystal solvate system is a decelerated R_n type,which is a solid-state process based on a phase boundary controlled reaction,in the conversion range considered.Whereas,the pure PASS follows a decelerated D_n thermodegradation mechanism in the same conversion range.     

Identification and characterization of stress degradation products of sumatriptan succinate by using LC/Q‐TOF‐ESI‐MS/MS and NMR: Toxicity evaluation of degradation products

Sumatriptan succinate, a selective 5‐HT1B receptor agonist, was subjected to forced degradation studies as per to International Conference on Harmonization‐specified conditions. The drug exclusively showed its degradation under basic, photolytic, and oxidative stress conditions, whereas it was found to be stable under acidic, thermal, and neutral conditions. Eight (DP‐1 to DP‐8) degradation products were identified and characterized by UPLC‐ESI/MS/MS experiments combined with accurate mass measurements. The effective chromatographic separation was achieved on Hibar Purospher STAR, C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column using mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid and methanol at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/minute in gradient elution method. It is noteworthy that 2 major degradation products DP‐3 and DP‐7 were isolated using preparative HPLC and characterized by advanced NMR experiments. The degradation pathway of the sumatriptan was established, which was duly justified by mechanistic explanation. In vitro cytotoxicity of isolated DPs was tested on normal human cells such as HEK 293 (embryonic kidney cells) and RWPE‐1 (normal prostate epithelial cells). This study revealed that they were nontoxic up to 100 μm concentration. Further, in silico toxicity of the drug and its degradation products was determined using ProTox‐II prediction tool. This study revealed that DP‐4 and DP‐8 are predicted for immune toxicity. Amine oxidase A and prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 are predicted as toxicity targets for DP‐3, DP‐4, and DP‐6 whereas DP‐1 and DP‐2 are predicted for amine oxidase A target.     

GC/MS测定锅巴中丙烯酰胺含量

建立了一种测定市售锅巴中的丙烯酰胺含量的方法.该法样品前处理不必经过溴化衍生,样品脱脂后用水提取丙烯酰胺,提取液过活性炭柱,再用乙酸乙酯将活性炭柱中吸附的丙烯酰胺洗脱.洗脱液浓缩后经气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)定量分析,检测限为0.06 mg/kg,适合测定市售锅巴中的丙烯酰胺的含量.还考察了丙烯酰胺在水的固液两相中的分配比.     

Poly(arylene ether)s,poly(arylene thioether)s,and poly(arylene sulfone)s derived from a dihydroxy(imidoarylene) monomer

Novel poly(arylene ether)s, poly(arylene thioether)s, and poly(arylene sulfone)s were synthesized from the dihydroxy(imidoarylene) monomer 1 . The syntheses of poly(arylene ether)s were carried out in DMAc in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃ by a nucleophilic substitution reaction between the bisphenol and activated difluoro compounds. Poly(arylene thioether)s were synthesized according to the recently discovered one-pot polymerization reaction between a bis(N,N′-dimethyl-S-carbamate) and activated difluoro compounds in the presence of a mixture of Cs₂CO₃ and CaCO₃. The bis(N,N′-dimethyl-S-carbamate) 3 was synthesized by the thermal rearrangement reaction of bis(N,N′-dimethylthiocarbamate) 2 , which was synthesized from 1 by a phase-transfer catalyzed reaction. The poly(arylene thioether)s were further oxidized to form poly(arylene sulfone)s, which would be very difficult, if not impossible, to synthesize by other methods. All of the polymers described have extremely high T_gs and thermal stability as determined from DSC and TGA analysis. Poly(arylene sulfone)s have the highest T_gs and they are in the range of 298–361°C. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1201–1208, 1998     

Positional isomer differentiation of synthetic cannabinoid JWH‐081 by GC‐MS/MS

Like many new designer drugs of abuse, synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have structural or positional isomers which may or may not all be regulated under law. Differences in acute toxicity may exist between isomers which impose further burden in the fields of forensic toxicology, medicine and legislation. Isomer differentiation therefore becomes crucial from these standpoints as new designer drugs continuously emerge with just minor positional modifications to their preexisting analogs. The aim of this study was to differentiate the positional isomers of JWH‐081. Purchased standard compounds of JWH‐081 and its positional isomers were analyzed by gas chromatography‐electron ionization‐mass spectrometry (GC‐EI‐MS) first in scan mode to investigate those isomers who could be differentiated by EI scan spectra. Isomers with identical or near‐identical EI spectra were further subjected to GC‐tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis with appropriate precursor ions. EI scan was able to distinguish 3 of the 7 isomers: 2‐methoxy, 7‐methoxy and 8‐methoxy. The remaining isomers exhibited near‐identical spectra; hence, MS/MS was performed by selecting m/z 185 and 157 as precursor ions. 3‐Methoxy and 5‐methoxy isomers produced characteristic product ions that enabled the differentiation between them. Product ion spectrum of 6‐methoxy isomer resembled that of JWH‐081; however, the relative ion intensities were clearly different from one another. The combination of EI scan and MS/MS allowed for the regioisomeric differentiation of the targeted compounds in this study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trace quantification of 1‐triacontanol in beagle plasma by GC‐MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

1‐Triacontanol (TA), a member of long chain fatty alcohol, has recently been received great attention owing to its antitumor activity. In this study, an accurate, sensitive and selective gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of TA in beagle plasma using 1‐octacosanal as the internal standard (IS) for the first time. With temperature programming, chromatographic separation was carried out on an HP‐5MS column, using helium as carrier gas and argon as collision gas, both at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. TA was analyzed using positive ion electrospray ionization in multiple‐reaction monitoring mode, with the precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 495.6 → 97.0 and m/z 467.5 → 97.0 for TA and the IS, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation, linearity, intra‐ and interday precision, accuracy, stability, extraction recovery and matrix effect of TA were within the acceptable limits. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of TA in beagles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiation-oxidation mechanisms: Volatile organic degradation products from polypropylene having selective C-13 labeling studied by GC/MS

PP samples, in which the three unique carbon atom positions along the chain were selectively labeled with C-13, have been subjected to γ-irradiation in the presence of oxygen, and the resulting organic volatile products analyzed by GC/MS. The isotopic labeling patterns in 33 organic degradation compounds have been assigned by comparison of the four mass spectra for each compound (from unlabeled PP, and from the three labeled PP materials). The volatile products have been “mapped” onto their positions of origin from the PP macromolecule, and insights have been gained into the chemistry through which these compounds must have formed. Most products show high specificity of isotopic labeling, indicating a single dominant reaction pathway. Oxidation chemistry occurred heavily at the C(2) tertiary carbon, with chemistry also at C(1) methylene. Methyl ketones are in abundance, along with alcohols, some aliphatic hydrocarbons, and other compound types. The C(3) methyl carbon remained attached to its original C(2) position in all catenated degradation products, and underwent no chemistry. However, products containing “non-catenated” carbons (i.e., not bonded to any other carbon atom) consisted entirely of a mix of C(3) and C(1). By examination of the labeling patterns, many products could be assigned to two successive chain scission events in close proximity, while others are clearly seen to arise from cleavage, followed by radical-radical recombination reactions. Interestingly, the former products (two chain scissions) are all found to have an odd number of carbon atoms along their chain, while the latter (scission followed by radical-radical reaction) all have an even number of carbons. An explanation of this odd/even phenomenon is provided in terms of the symmetry of the PP macromolecule.     

Analysis of anabolic steroids in hair by GC/MS/MS

A simple and sensitive gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) method is described for the detection of anabolic steroids, usually found in keratin matrix at very low concentrations. Hair samples from seven athletes who spontaneously reported their abuse of anabolic steroids, and in a single case cocaine, were analyzed for methyltestosterone, nandrolone, boldenone, fluoxymesterolone, cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine. Anabolic steroids were determinate by digestion of hair samples in 1 m NaOH for 15 min at 95 degrees C. After cooling, samples were purificated by solid-phase and liquid-liquid extraction, then anabolic steroids were converted to their trimethylsilyl derivative and finally analyzed by GC/MS/MS. For detection of cocaine and benzoylecgonine, hair samples were extracted with methanol in an ultrasonic bath for 2 h at 56 degrees C then overnight in a thermostatic bath at the same temperature. After the incubation, methanol was evaporated to dryness, and benzoylecgonine was converted to its trimethylsilyl derivative prior of GC/MS/MS analysis. Results obtained are in agreement with the athletes' reports, confirming that hair is a valid biological matrix to establish long-term intake of drugs.     

Characterization of forced degradation products of pazopanib hydrochloride by UHPLC‐Q‐TOF/MS and in silico toxicity prediction

Pazopanib (PZ), an anti‐cancer drug, was subjected to forced degradation under hydrolytic (acid, base and neutral), oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress conditions as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. A selective stability indicating validated method was developed using a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 (100 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm) column in gradient mode with ammonium acetate buffer (10 m m , pH 5.0) and acetonitrile. PZ was found to degrade only in photolytic conditions to produce six transformation products (TPs). All the TPs were identified and characterized by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–quadrupole‐time of flight mass spectrometry experiments in combination with accurate mass measurements. Plausible mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of TPs. In silico toxicity was predicted using TOPKAT and DEREK softwares for all the TPs. The TP, N4‐(2,3‐dimethyl‐2H‐indazol‐6‐yl)‐N4‐methylpyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine, was found to be genotoxic, whereas all other TPs with sulfonamide moiety were hepatotoxic. The data reported here are expected to be of significance as this study foresees the formation of one potential genotoxic and five hepatotoxic degradation/transformation products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble,fluorescent poly(arylene ether)s,poly(arylene thioether)s,and poly(arylene sulfone)s containing 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene segments

The bisphenol 4,4″‐dihydroxy‐5′‐phenyl‐m‐terphenyl ( 4 ), containing a 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene moiety, was synthesized from a pyrylium salt obtained by the reaction of benzaldehyde with p‐methoxyacetophenone with boron trifluoride etherate as a condensing agent. Polymers were obtained from 4 by a nucleophilic displacement reaction with various activated difluoro monomers and with K₂CO₃ as a base. A series of new poly(arylene ether)s ( 8a – 8f ) were obtained that contained phenyl‐substituted m‐terphenyl segments in the polymer chain. Polymers with inherent viscosities of 0.41–0.99 dL/g were obtained in yields greater than 96%. The polymers were soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including nonpolar solvents such as toluene. Clear, transparent, and flexible films cast from CHCl₃ showed high glass‐transition temperatures (T_g = 198–270 °C) and had excellent thermal stability, as shown by temperatures of 5% weight loss greater than 500 °C. 4 was converted via N,N‐dimethyl‐O‐thiocarbamate into the masked dithiol 4,4″‐bis(N,N′‐dimethyl‐S‐thiocarbamate)‐5′‐phenyl‐m‐terphenyl and was polymerized with activated difluoro compounds in the presence of a mixture of Cs₂CO₃ and CaCO₃ as a base in diphenyl sulfone as a solvent. A series of new poly(arylene thioether)s ( 9a – 9e ) were obtained with T_g values similar to those of 8a – 8e . 9a – 9e were further oxidized into poly(arylene sulfone)s with T_g values 40–80 °C higher than those for 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e . These polymers also had good solubility in organic solvents. A sulfonic acid group was selectively introduced onto the pendent phenyl group of polymers 8a and 8f by reaction with chlorosulfonic acid. The polymers were soluble in dipolar aprotic solvents and formed films via casting from dimethylformamide. Polymers 8a – 8f , 11a , and 11f showed blue and red fluorescence under ultraviolet–visible light with emission maxima at 380–440 nm. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 496–510, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10136     

Thermal degradation and pyrolysis study of brominated butyl rubber‐based damping material

This paper deals with the thermal stability and decomposition behavior of brominated butyl rubber‐based damping material (BRP). The raw materials, butyl rubber matrix (IIR) and brominated phenolic resin (PF), were also investigated as control. IIR shows one decomposition stage, while PF shows four weight loss stages. Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa calculation indicates that BRP has thermal stability between IIR and PF. Thermogravimetric analysis–Fourier transform infrared (TGA‐FTIR) and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to investigate the volatile products under nitrogen atmosphere. As expected, BRP shows combined thermal decomposition behavior of both IIR and PF. The degradation mechanism of BRP was proposed, which is not significantly influenced by the incorporation of PF. The application stability of BRP is worth to be noticed since the post‐cure effect, that is, the free radicals remained from vulcanization would cause additional cross‐linking when stored at 80°C to 120°C.     

Characterization of degradation products of Ivabradine by LC‐HR‐MS/MS: a typical case of exhibition of different degradation behaviour in HCl and H2SO4 acid hydrolysis

A validated stability‐indicating HPLC method was established, and comprehensive stress testing of ivabradine, a cardiotonic drug, was carried out as per ICH guidelines. Ivabradine was subjected to acidic, basic and neutral hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal stress conditions, and the resulting degradation products were investigated by LC‐PDA and LC‐HR‐MS/MS. The drug was found to degrade in acid and base hydrolysis. An efficient and selective stability assay method was developed on Phenomenex Luna C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5.0 µm) column using ammonium formate (10 mM, pH 3.0) and acetonitrile as mobile phase at 30 °C in gradient elution mode. The flow rate was 0.7 ml/min and detection wavelength was 286 nm. A total of five degradation products (I‐1 to I‐5) were identified and characterized by LC‐HR‐MS/MS in combination with accurate mass measurements. The drug exhibited different degradation behaviour in HCl and H₂SO₄ hydrolysis conditions. It is a unique example where two of the five degradation products in HCl hydrolysis were absent in H₂SO₄ acid hydrolysis. The present study provides guidance to revise the stress test for the determination of inherent stability of drugs containing lactam moiety under hydrolytic conditions. Most probable mechanisms for the formation of degradation products have been proposed on the basis of a comparison of the fragmentation pattern of the drug and its degradation products. In silico toxicity revealed that the degradation products ( I‐2 to I‐5 ) were found to be severe irritants in case of ocular irritancy. The analytical assay method was validated with respect to specificity, linearity, range, precision, accuracy and robustness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.