Separation and structural elucidation of the hydrolysis compounds of loprazolam

Abstract

The hydrolysis of loprazolam in acidic and basic aqueous media was studied using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques (UV, HPLC, 1H NMR and GC-MS). 2-Amine-5-nitro-2′-chlorobenzophenone was found as the major hydrolysis derivative in basic media, whereas in acidic media there are two major derivatives, clonazepam and the open compound obtained by scission of the 4,5-azomethine bond of loprazolam.