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Screening of solid commercial pharmaceuticals using ion mobility spectrometry.
G A Eiceman1, D A Blyth, D B Shoff
1Department of Chemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003-0003.
Analytical Chemistry
|July 15, 1990
Summary
Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) offers a new way to analyze pharmaceutical vapors. This method can identify individual drug components and mixtures, aiding in quality control.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
Background:
- Pharmaceutical quality control requires reliable methods for analyzing active ingredients.
- Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an emerging technique for rapid chemical analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use of IMS for analyzing vapors from analgesic pharmaceuticals.
- To assess the suitability of hand-held IMS for routine analysis of large polar molecules.
- To characterize the ionization and fragmentation behavior of pharmaceutical components using IMS/mass spectrometry.
Main Methods:
- Vapors generated from pharmaceutical solids (100-200°C) were analyzed using IMS/mass spectrometry.
- Air-based atmospheric pressure chemical ionization was employed.
- Mobility spectra of individual compounds, binary mixtures, and over-the-counter medicines were obtained.
Main Results:
- IMS provided distinct and recognizable mobility spectra for seven individual pharmaceutical compounds.
- Ion source fragmentation was minimal, but ion-molecule clustering effects were observed.
- Mixtures produced composite mobility spectra, predictable from individual component spectra.
Conclusions:
- IMS is suitable for analyzing pharmaceutical vapors and distinguishing between different compounds.
- The technique shows promise for quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing and screening of analgesic powders.
- Further development of IMS instrumentation is supported by these findings for analyzing complex mixtures.