Sensitive detection of salbutamol using europium-enhanced fluorescence with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as coligand

In this work a simple and sensitive fluorimetric method for determination of salbutamol (4-[2-(tert-butylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl]-2-(hydroxymethyl) phenol) using an Eu enhanced signal was developed. The employed methodology is based on the formation of a ternary complex formed with Eu, salbutamol and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO). Intermolecular transfer of energy from the excited organic molecule to the lanthanide followed by lanthanide emission is responsible for excitation of the lanthanide ion in complex solutions and fluorescent enhancement. The luminescence properties of the ternary complex formed with TOPO and optimum formation conditions were investigated. The calibration curve is linear in the range between 6.92-180 microg l(-1) of salbutamol. The detection limit was 2.31 microg l(-1). Common excipients for these formulations were not found to interfere. A proposed method for the assay in commercial aerosols and nebulizer solutions containing salbutamol was applied with very good precision.