Gas chromatographic analysis of chloroquine after a unique reaction with chloroformates

A specific method for the gas chromatographic determination of chloroquine (CQ) after derivatization with chloroformates, using 9-bromophenanthrene as the internal standard and a column filled with 3% OV-17 on 80-100 mesh Supelcoport is described. Derivatization with chloroformates produced a pyrrolidine derivative, 4-(2-methyl-1-pyrrolidyl)-7-chloroquinoline with CQ, and a carbamate with desethylchloroquine. The chloroformate reaction for CQ is thus selective in the presence of CQ metabolites. The method based on flame ionization detection is highly suitable for quantitation of CQ in urine.