Abstract
We describe a novel isothermal gas-chromatographic procedure for measuring valproic acid. Plasma, with cyclohexanecarboxylic acid added as internal standard, is selectively extracted with pentane to minimize the extraction of other acidic drugs. To convert carboxylic acids to their phenacyl esters, alpha-bromoacetophenone is added to the organic extract before evaporating the solvent. These esters are relatively less volatile than the acids themselves and the extracting solvent can be removed without any loss of valproic acid or internal standard. The phenacyl esters, when chromatographed on 3% OV-17, produce sharp, well-shaped peaks and show high response for the flame ionization detector. Valproic acid is well separated from the internal standard, from reagents and plasma constituents, and from some commonly prescribed drugs that we examined. When alpha-bromo-p-nitroacetophenone is sued as the derivatizing agent, the resulting nitrophenacyl esters can be analyzed with use of a nitrogen-specific detector.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
