Fluorometric determination of diphenhydramine by flow-injection analysis

A sensitive, rapid and simple flow injection procedure for the determination of diphenhydramine has been designed based on a fluorometric approach. An aqueous solution of diphenhydramine is injected into a carrierreagent stream containing Ce(IV) in dilute sulphuric acid and the fluorescence intensity of the Ce(III) produced is monitored. Chemical, FIA and instrumental variables were optimized. Analytical features of the method are: linear range 0.2–2 ppm, precision 0.7%, sample throughput 80/h. The influence of some foreign substances which can be found in typical pharmaceutical samples containing diphenhydramine was also investigated. The diphenhydramine content of a pharmaceutical preparation was determined.