Qualitative detection of some electron donor drugs on thin-layer plates: chloranilic acid as the locating reagent in non-aqueous media

Abstract

A chromatographic procedure for the qualitative detection of diethylcarbamazine citrate, moclobemide and promethazine hydrochloride on thin-layer plates is presented. The detection reactions, which occurred instantaneously, were found to utilize the complex formation between chloranilic acid acting as the election acceptor and the drugs acting as the electron donors in non-aqueous media. Using the intensity of the purple coloration of the different complexes as a basis, it was possible to gain some insight into the degrees of bonding between chloranilic acid and each of the drugs studied. The results from this study corroborate earlier findings regarding the thermodynamic interactions of these drugs with chloranilic acid.

Key words: Qualitative detection; electron donor drugs; chloranilic acid; thin-layer plates; complex formation; non-aqueous media.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol.2(2) 2004: 226-232