GLC determination of nicotinamide in multivitamin formulations after conversion to nicotinonitrile

A method was developed for the quantitative GLC determination of nicotinamide. It is based on the conversion of nicotinamide to nicotinonitrile. This dehydration reaction is mediated with trifluoroacetic anhydride and catalyzed by base. The GLC properties of this nitrile are excellent. The reaction conditions, extraction, and stability properties of the derivative as well as the choice of internal standard are discussed.