High-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection of serum levels of pre-column derivatized fluoropyrimidine compounds

7-(Diethylamino)-3-[4-[iodoacetyl)amino)phenyl]-4-methylcoumarin (DCIA) and 4-(bromomethyl)-7-methoxycoumarin have been evaluated as fluoropyrimidine-derivatizing agents to be detected using peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence with high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatization procedure required only one step. No chemiluminescence was observed from the bromo derivatives, and the detection limits of fluoropyrimidine compounds derivatized with the iodo compound and detected with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence were in the low femtomole range.