Determination of Cycloheximide and Its Degradation Products Alone and in Mixtures

Abstract

Procedures for determining cycloheximide and its degradation products, anhydrocycloheximide, 2,4-dimethylcyclohexanone, and glutarimide β-acetaldehyde, separately and in mixtures are devised. They are based on the relative oximation reactivities of the carbonyl compounds under specified conditions. The method is useful for aqueous and methanolic solutions. Simultaneous spectrophotometric assay of anhydrocycloheximide is necessary for assay of mixtures. The use of potentiometry and imide analytical methods expands the utility of the method to cases where imide solvolysis may have occurred or where the degradation products are derived from an unknown amount of cycloheximide precursor. Procedures for determining cycloheximide and its degradation products, anhydrocycloheximide, 2,4-dimethylcyclohexanone, and glutarimide β-acetaldehyde, separately and in mixtures are devised. They are based on the relative oximation reactivities of the carbonyl compounds under specified conditions. The method is useful for aqueous and methanolic solutions. Simultaneous spectrophotometric assay of anhydrocycloheximide is necessary for assay of mixtures. The use of potentiometry and imide analytical methods expands the utility of the method to cases where imide solvolysis may have occurred or where the degradation products are derived from an unknown amount of cycloheximide precursor.