LC‐MS of novel narcoepileptics and related substances

Modafinil, adrafinil and their related substances were synthesized and analyzed by RP‐LC with ESI‐MS/MS. The ionization mode, polarity, cone voltage, and chromatographic conditions were evaluated. The optimum LC‐MS conditions to obtain fragment ions indispensable for identification of the structures were described. The bulk drugs purity of modafinil and adrafinil was evaluated on Kromasil C₁₈ column with ACN/0.02 M ammonium acetate as mobile phase in gradient elution mode at 30°C. The method was found to be suitable not only for monitoring the reactions during the process development but also for quality assurance of modafinil and adrafinil.