GLC determination of degradation of two related amine uptake inhibitors

A convenient GLC method was developed to assay the chemically related CNS agents dl-3-(p-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-N-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine (Ia) and dl-3-(0-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine (Ib). Subsequently, this GLC method was used to monitor the stability of Ia and Ib in acidic and basic media. These CNS agents were stable in basic solution but labile under acid conditions, and the degradations of both compounds approximated pseudo-first-order kinetics. Products formed during the acid hydrolysis of Ia and Ib were identified and were shown not to interfere in the GLC assays of the parent ethers.