Rapid determination of the enantiomers of metoprolol, oxprenolol and propranolol in urine

A method is described that makes possible the rapid determination of the enantiomers of beta-blocking agents. After extraction from urine samples (at pH 9.9) using toluene, the enantiomers are derivatised with S-(+)-benoxaprofen chloride. The chromatographic separation can be performed on thin-layer plates with toluene-acetone as mobile phase. The derivatives can be detected by measuring the fluorescence (lambda ex = 313 nm,lambda em = 365 nm).