Characterization of prednisolone in controlled porosity osmotic pump pellets using solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

The overall objective of this study was to demonstrate the influence of formulation and processing variables on the physical state of prednisolone (PDL) in formulations consisting of PDL, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (CD). PDL was used as a model drug in controlled porosity osmotic pump pellet (CP-OPP) formulations, and was characterized using solid-state NMR spectroscopy and other complimentary analytical techniques. Dosage forms and the solid-state properties of drugs and excipients in a formulation may be influenced by the processing conditions used. Several processing parameters, such as amount of water used in wet granulation and subsequent drying conditions, were found to affect the solid-state transformation of PDL. In addition, the presence of excipients in the CP-OPP was observed to decrease the degree of PDL crystallinity, presumably by creating an inclusion complex with the CD. A hydrated form of PDL was created when PDL was ground with water alone; however, this form was not observed in formulated products. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy was shown to be a powerful technique for the analysis of drug formulations and investigations of the effects of processing conditions.

Evaluation of various properties of alternative salt forms of sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin, (SBE)7M-beta-CD.

The goal of this study was to evaluate alternative salt forms of (SBE)7M-beta-CD (currently the sodium salt). The potential salt form would ideally decrease the rate of (SBE)7M-beta-CD release from osmotic pump formulations and result in an increase in the rate and extent of drug release in osmotic pump tablet and pellet dosage forms. Several (SBE)7M-beta-CD salt forms (potassium, calcium, and two ethylene diamine salt forms) were prepared by either titration or ultrafiltration and characterized by elemental analysis and capillary electrophoresis, CE. The physical properties (water uptake behavior, osmolality, complexation characteristics, etc.) were then compared to the sodium salt form. Although the water isotherm and the binding characteristics using various model drugs were similar among all the salt forms, the calcium salt form appeared to be the best alternative candidate due to its lower osmolality and slower intrinsic dissolution rate.

A preliminary Pharmacokinetic study of dianhydrogalactitol (NSC-132313) disposition in the dog.

The pharmacokinetics of dianhydrogalactitol (DAG), NSC-132313, were studied in the beagle dog at doses of 3 mg - kg-1 and 6 mg - kg-1. DAG concentrations in plasma were determined by a gas chromatographic method capable of specifically detecting the parent drug and differentiating between it and products of its degradation or metabolism. Plasma disappearance time curves were generated and shown to follow simple two-compartment model behavior after iv administration of DAG. Distribution and elimination of DAG appeared to be dose-independent in the limited dose range studied. After iv administration, the drug was rapidly distributed throughout extracellular fluids (volume of the central compartment = 462 ml - kg-1) and subsequently was rapidly cleared (total body clearance = 23.4 ml - min-1 - kg-1) and eliminated (t1/2, b = 26.2 min) from the animal. Experiments (in vitro) with the use of radiolabeled DAG indicated that the drug binds reversibly and irreversibly to red blood cells.

Novel prodrug approach for tertiary amines: synthesis and preliminary evaluation of N-phosphonooxymethyl prodrugs.

The synthesis and preliminary evaluation of a novel prodrug approach for improving the water solubility of drugs containing a tertiary amine group are reported. The prodrug synthesis involves a nucleophilic substitution reaction between the parent tertiary amine and a novel derivatizing reagent, di-tert-butyl chloromethyl phosphate, resulting in formation of the quaternary salt. The tertiary butyl groups are easily removed under acidic conditions with trifluoroacetic acid giving the N-phosphonooxymethyl prodrug in the free phosphoric acid form, which can subsequently be converted to the desired salt form. The synthesis was successfully applied to a model compound (quinuclidine) and to three tertiary amine-containing drugs (cinnarizine, loxapine, and amiodarone). The prodrugs were designed to undergo a two-step bioreversion process. The first step was an enzyme-catalyzed rate-determining dephosphorylation followed by spontaneous chemical breakdown of the N-hydroxymethyl intermediate to give the parent drug. Selected prodrugs were shown to be substrates for alkaline phosphatase in vitro. A preliminary in vivo study confirmed the ability of the cinnarizine prodrug to be rapidly and completely converted to cinnarizine in a beagle dog following iv administration.

Synthesis and evaluation of some water-soluble prodrugs and derivatives of taxol with antitumor activity.

The synthesis and evaluation of some 2'- and 7-amino acid derivatives of taxol (1) are reported. Reaction of taxol with N-protected amino acids gave 2'-N-protected amino acid esters of taxol. However, deprotection of the amino group and subsequent isolation of products were complex and only successful when formic acid was used to deprotect a t-BOC protecting group. Esterification of taxol using N,N-dialkylated amino acids gave 2'-amino acid esters of taxol, 2'-(N,N-dimethylglycyl)taxol (4) and 2'-[3-(N,N-diethylamino)propionyl]taxol as its methanesulfonic acid salt (5b), in good yield. The 7-derivatives, 7-(N,N-dimethylglycyl)taxol (9) and 7-L-alanyltaxol (12), were prepared by two alternate methods. In the first approach, the 2'-hydroxyl group was protected using the [(2,2,2-trichloro-ethyl)oxy]carbonyl, or troc, protecting group followed by the esterification of the 7-hydroxyl and subsequent deprotection of the amino and troc groups. In the second approach, taxol was allowed to react with more than 2 molar equiv of the N-protected amino acids or N,N-dialkylated amino acids to give 2',7-diamino acid esters of taxol. For the protected amino acids, the deprotection of the amino group followed by removal of the 2'-substituent gave the 7-amino acid esters of taxol. The methanesulfonic acid salts of both 2'- and 7-amino acid esters showed improved solubility ranging from 2 to greater than 10 mg/mL. The 7-derivatives were effective in promoting microtubule assembly in vitro while 2'-derivatives showed little in vitro activity. The derivatives 2'-(N,N-dimethylglycyl)taxol (4) and 2'-[3-(N,N-diethylamino)propionyl]taxol (5) inhibited proliferation of B16 melanoma cells to an extent similar to that of taxol, while the other derivatives were about 50% as cytotoxic. In a mammary tumor screen, 2'-[3-(N,N-diethylamino)propionyl]taxol showed the greatest antitumor activity compared to the other analogues. The lower activities of the 7-derivatives in inhibiting tumor growth and melanoma cell proliferation (although they were almost as active as taxol in inducing microtubule assembly in vitro) may be due to differences in drug uptake by the cells. The similar cytotoxic and antitumor activities of the 2'-analogues and taxol can be explained by their conversion to taxol or an active taxol metabolite. Therefore, the 2'-analogues appear to behave as prodrugs and have the potential to be developed as chemotherapeutic agents.

Prodrugs. Do they have advantages in clinical practice?

Prodrugs are pharmacologically inactive chemical derivatives of a drug molecule that require a transformation within the body in order to release the active drug. They are designed to overcome pharmaceutical and/or pharmacokinetically based problems associated with the parent drug molecule that would otherwise limit the clinical usefulness of the drug. The scientific rationale, based on clinical, pharmaceutical and chemical experience, for the design of various currently used prodrugs is presented in this review. The examples presented are by no means comprehensive, but are representative of the different ways in which the prodrug approach has been used to enhance the clinical efficacy of various drug molecules.

Application of benzyl hyaluronate membranes as potential wound dressings: evaluation of water vapour and gas permeabilities.

Membranes of 75% and 100% benzyl hyaluronate esters (percentage of total carboxylate groups esterified) were prepared and their water vapour, oxygen and carbon dioxide transmission rates determined. The values of these properties were compared with the values obtained for several commercial wound dressings under the same conditions. The benzyl hyaluronate membranes showed water vapour transmission rates (2157-2327 gm-2 per day) comparable to those from commercial skin dressings (426-2047 gm-2 per day). In the dry state, the benzyl hyaluronate membranes showed lower oxygen and carbon dioxide transmission rates. Taking into account the biocompatibility of the hyaluronic acid esters, and the possibility that therapeutic agents could be incorporated into these membranes, the results indicate that the benzyl hyaluronate membranes have potential wound dressing applications.

Release of testosterone from an osmotic pump tablet utilizing (SBE)7m-beta-cyclodextrin as both a solubilizing and an osmotic pump agent.

A controlled porosity osmotic pump system for poorly water soluble drugs has been developed using sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin sodium salt, (SBE)7m-beta-CD, which can act as both a solubilizing and an osmotic agent. The release of testosterone, a poorly water soluble drug (0.039 mg/ml at 37 degrees C), was evaluated using a new model device. The effect of (SBE)7m-beta-CD as the solubilizing and osmotic pump agent was compared with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD), a neutral cyclodextrin, and a sugar mixture (osmotic agent only). Testosterone release from the device was significantly faster with (SBE)7m-beta-CD than with HP-beta-CD or the sugar mixture. The solubility of testosterone in the device increased to 76.7 mg/ml through complexation with (SBE)7m-beta-CD in the imbibed water. It appears that testosterone release from the device in the presence of (SBE)7m-beta-CD was mainly due to osmotic pumping while for HP-beta-CD the major contribution appears to be due to diffusion. In the case of the sugar mixture, testosterone was poorly released, presumably due to the absence of a solubilizer. Therefore, it was concluded that (SBE)7m-beta-CD provides novel properties for the development of controlled- porosity osmotic pump tablets for poor solubility drugs.

Variation in the diffusion and release of ribonuclease through and from esterified hyaluronic acid membranes: effect of changes in matrix characteristics.

50 h) were detected for the transport and release of a model protein (ribonuclease A) compared with that for the translucent region which showed no lag time. The results highlight the importance of carefully controlling matrix formation to ensure reproducible transport and release characteristics from polymer matrices.

Mechanisms controlling diffusion and release of model proteins through and from partially esterified hyaluronic acid membranes.

The effects of polymer percent esterification and protein molecular weight on the diffusion of two model proteins, deoxyribonuclease (DNase) and ribonuclease A (RNase A), through and from partially esterified hyaluronic acid membranes were compared. The permeability of the polymer membranes was inversely related to the degree of polymer esterification and the molecular weight of the protein. Transport rates of proteins through the membranes decreased dramatically over narrow ranges of polymer esterification. As expected, the apparent diffusivity of the larger protein in the polymer matrix was more sensitive to changes in membrane hydration than that of the smaller protein. These observations demonstrated the dependence of the mobility of large molecular weight proteins on polymer hydration and chain relaxation. The relationship between protein diffusion through and release from the modified hyaluronate matrices was also investigated using RNase A as a model. The release profiles from fully esterified membranes showed lag behavior and varied with protein load and hyaluronate hydrolysis rates, while release from less esterified membranes was rapid and independent of polymer esterification or hydrolysis. Potential applications of modified hyaluronate matrices in the controlled delivery of proteins are discussed.

Factors affecting membrane-controlled drug release for an osmotic pump tablet (OPT) utilizing (SBE)(7m)-beta-CD as both a solubilizer and osmotic agent.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define membrane controlling factors responsible for drug release from a controlled-porosity osmotic pump tablet (OPT) that utilizes a sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin, (SBE)(7m)-beta-CD, as both a solubilizing and osmotic agent. METHOD: The OPT was spray coated with cellulose acetate solutions varying the amount and size of micronized lactose, the amount of triethyl citrate (TEC) and the composition ratio of dichlormethane to ethanol. Chlorpromazine (CLP) was used as a model drug. The release of CLP from the OPTs was studied using the Japanese Pharmacopoeia dissolution method. The membrane surface area of the OPTs were measured with multi-point analysis by the gas absorption method. RESULTS: The release rate of CLP from OPTs containing (SBE)(7m)-beta-CD increased with increasing amounts of micronized lactose and decreasing amounts of TEC and lactose particle size in the membrane. Also, the CLP release rates from the spray-coated OPTs using mixtures of varying ratios of dichlormethane to ethanol were almost identical. The membrane surface area of the OPTs following release of membrane components had a linear relationship to CLP release rates from the OPTs. CONCLUSION: The present results confirmed that the membrane controlling factors responsible for the drug release were the amount and size of micronized lactose and the amount of TEC in the membrane.

Enhancement of transport of D-melphalan analogue by conjugation with L-glutamate across bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell monolayers.

In this paper, the L-glutamate (L-Glu) transport system was targeted to improve the delivery of a model compound, p-di(hydroxyethyl)-amino-D-phenylalanine (D-MOD), through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro cell culture model. D-MOD is an analogue of an antitumor agent D-melphalan. To target the L-Glu transport system, D-MOD was conjugated to L-Glu to give D-MOD-L-Glu conjugate. D-MOD and D-MOD-L-Glu transport properties were evaluated using the bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell (BBMEC) monolayers. The results suggest that D-MOD-L-Glu conjugate permeates through the BBMEC monolayers more readily than the parent D-MOD. The improvement of transport may be due to the recognition of D-MOD-L-Glu by the L-Glu transport system. The transport mechanism was evaluated using several different experiments including: (a) concentration-dependent studies; (b) temperature-dependent studies; (c) substrate inhibition studies; and (d) metabolic inhibitor studies. The D-MOD-L-Glu transport was inhibited by the change of temperature from 37 degrees C to 4 degrees C. At higher concentrations, the transport of D-MOD-L-Glu reached plateau due to saturation. Furthermore, some amino acids (i.e., L-Glu, L-Asp, D-Asp, and L-Gln) inhibited the transport of D-MOD-L-Glu; presumably the conjugate was competing with these amino acids for the same transport system. Metabolic inhibitors (i.e., 2,4-dinitrophenol and sodium azide) suppressed the transport of the conjugate. However, the conjugate was not transported by monocarboxylic acid, dipeptide and neutral amino acid transporters. In conclusion, the L-Glu transport system can be utilized to facilitate a non-permeable drug across the BBB by conjugating the drug with L-Glu amino acid.

Derivatives of melphalan designed to enhance drug accumulation in cancer cells.

The objective of this study was to develop chemical strategies to improve the uptake and accumulation of melphalan (L-Mel and D-Mel), a cytotoxic agent, into cancer cells. Dipeptides synthesized from L- (or D-) Mel and L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) or L-valine (L-Val) and their methyl or ethyl esters (all compounds were trifluoroacetic acid salts) were evaluated for cytotoxicity and cellular uptake using Caco-2 cells, a human colon carcinoma cell line, and RT-2 cells, a rat brain glioma cell line. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with L-Mel or D-Mel (0.5 mg/ml equivalent of melphalan) for 48 h resulted in approximately 50% cell survival. Treatment of the Caco-2 cells with dipeptide derivatives of L-Mel (or D-Mel) (11c-d, 12c-d and 13) caused similar cytotoxicity effects (approximately 50-70% of cell survival). When the cytotoxicities of the esters of L-Mel, D-Mel and their dipeptide derivatives (11a-b, 12a-b and 14) in Caco-2 cells were determined, less than 10% cell survival was observed. Similar results were observed in RT-2 cells. When the cellular uptake properties of these compounds were determined in Caco-2 cell monolayers, L-Glu-L-Mel (12c), L-Glu-D-Mel (12d), and L-Mel-L-Glu (11c) generated slightly lower intracellular levels of L-Mel or D-Mel than when the cell monolayer was treated with the amino acids (L-Mel or D-Mel). In Caco-2 cells treated with 11c, 12c or 12d, low levels of the dipeptides were also detected. Caco-2 cell monolayers treated with D-Mel-L-Glu (11d) or D-Mel-L-Val (13) showed very low levels of the amino acids (L-Mel or D-Mel), but generally higher levels of the dipeptides. In contrast to the amino acids (L-Mel, D-Mel) or the dipeptide derivatives (11c-d, 12c-d and 13), the ester derivatives of the amino acids [L-Mel(OEt), D-Mel(OEt)] or the dipeptides (11a-b, 12a-b and 14) produced 5-20 times higher intracellular concentrations of potentially cytotoxic metabolites (e.g., L-Mel, D-Mel, Mel-containing dipeptides or Mel-containing dipeptide monoesters). L-Mel(OEt), D-Mel(OEt), L-Glu(OEt)-L-Mel(OEt) (12a), L-Glu(OEt)-D-Mel(OEt) (12b), and L-Mel-L-Glu(OEt)2 (11a) accumulated mainly as either L-Mel or D-Mel, and the percentages of L-Mel or D-Mel were 99%, 99%, 90%, 75% and 98% of the total intracellular concentration of potentially cytotoxic agents, respectively. D-Mel-L-Glu(OEt)2 (11b) accumulated as its monoester (> 95%) and D-Mel-L-Val(OMe) (14) accumulated as its dipeptide metabolite (> 98%). Inclusion of Gly-Pro, carnosine, L-Phe or L-Glu did not inhibit uptake of the dipeptide derivatives of L-Mel (or D-Mel) or their esters. These results suggest that the cellular uptake of the dipeptide derivatives of melphalan and their esters is probably via passive diffusion rather than being facilitated by an amino acid transporter or a di/tripeptide transporter. The higher intracellular levels of cytotoxic agents generated from the ester derivatives of the amino acids and the dipeptides are probably due to their higher lipophilicity and the overall neutral charge of the esters and subsequent intracellular formation of the more polar amino acids (L- or D-Mel) and/or Mel-containing dipeptides. Finally, these studies suggest that dipeptides of D-Mel [11b, 11d, 13] have inherent cytotoxicity properties.

Conjugation with L-Glutamate for in vivo brain drug delivery.

In vitro studies have shown that conjugation of a model compound [p-di(hydroxyethyl)-amino-D-phenylalanine (D-MOD)] with L-Glu can improve D-MOD permeation through the bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell monolayers (Sakaeda et al., 2000). The transport of this D-MOD-L-Glu conjugate is facilitated by the L-Glu transport system. In this paper, we evaluate the in vivo brain delivery of model compounds (i.e. D-MOD, p-nitro-D-phenylalanine (p-nitro-D-Phe), 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid (DCKA) and D-kyotorphin) and their L-Glu conjugates. DCKA was also conjugated with L-Asp and L-Gln amino acids. The analgesic activities of D-kyotorphin and its L-Glu conjugate were also evaluated. The results showed that the brain-to-plasma concentration ratio of D-MOD-L-Glu was higher than the D-MOD alone; however, the plasma concentration of both compounds were the same. The plasma concentration of p-nitro-D-Phe-L-Glu conjugate was higher than the parent p-nitro-D-Phe; however, the brain-to-plasma concentration ratio of p-nitro-D-Phe was higher than its conjugate. On the other hand, both DCKA and DCKA conjugates have a low brain-to-plasma concentration ratio due to their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The L-Asp and L-Glu conjugates of DCKA have elevated plasma concentrations relative to DCKA; however, the DCKA-L-Gln conjugate has the same plasma concentration as DCKA. For D-kyotorphin, both the parent and the L-Glu conjugate showed similar analgesic activity. In conclusion, conjugation of a non-permeable drug with L-Glu may improve the drug's brain delivery; however, this improvement may depend on the physicochemical and receptor binding properties of the conjugate.

My mentors.

This paper traces the academic genealogy of Professor Takeru Higuchi, who is considered "The Father of Physical Pharmacy" because of his contributions to the science of drug formulation and delivery and his impact in mentoring a whole generation of post-World War II pharmaceutical scientists. As one who was mentored by Professor Higuchi (Tak), I was challenged to ask the question, "If Tak was my mentor, who was his mentor, and who were those who formed his academic lineage?" This question led me to attempt to follow Professor Higuchi's academic genealogy. I was quite surprised at what I found and I thought it would be of interest to many readers who will correctly claim direct or indirect connection to Professor Higuchi. A greater purpose of my paper is to encourage all readers to think about their mentors and to take the time for a note of gratitude (if possible) to these people who have so deeply affected their life.

Mechanism of decarboxylation of p-aminosalicylic acid.

The rate of decarboxylation of p-aminosalicylic acid (1) in aqueous solutions was studied at 25 degrees C (mu = 0.5) as a function of pH and buffer concentration. A pH-rate profile was generated by using the rate constants extrapolated to zero buffer concentration. The profile was bell-shaped, with the maximum rate of decarboxylation near the isoelectric pH. The rate constants obtained in buffered solutions indicated general acid catalysis. Bronsted behavior appeared to be adhered to. The two ionization constants of 1 were determined spectrophotometrically at 25 degrees C and at an ionic strength of 0.5. An HPLC method was used to characterize the degradation products of the reaction. Kinetic solvent deuterium isotope effects were studied to further confirm the mechanism of decarboxylation. Below pH 7.0, the mechanism of 1 decarboxylation is the rate controlling proton attack on the carbon-alpha to the carboxylic acid group of 1 anion and the ampholyte, followed by the rapid decarboxylation of the formed intermediate.

Phenytoin prodrugs V: In vivo evaluation of some water-soluble phenytoin prodrugs in dogs.

Phenytoin bioavailability was evaluated in beagle dogs after oral and intravenous administrations of sodium phenytoin and two amino acyl esters and a disodium phosphate ester of 3-(hydroxymethyl)phenytoin (three prodrugs of phenytoin). Phenytoin displayed nonlinear pharmacokinetics in the dogs, complicating the determination of the absolute bioavailability of phenytoin from sodium phenytoin and the prodrugs. All three prodrugs essentially released phenytoin after intravenous administration in a quantitative manner, and all gave plasma levels of phenytoin after oral administration greater than those found after administration of sodium phenytoin. Based on the behavior in dogs and the earlier determination of the physicochemical properties of the prodrugs, it was concluded that one of the amino acyl esters, 3-(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-diphenylhydantoin N,N-dimethylglycine ester methanesulfonate, would be the most useful prodrug for oral administration, while 3-(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-diphenylhydantoin disodium phosphate ester would be the most useful for parenteral administration.

Phenytoin prodrugs VI: In vivo evaluation of a phosphate ester prodrug of phenytoin after parenteral administration to rats.

Tissue damage caused by subcutaneous and intramuscular administration of three phenytoin prodrugs to rats was assessed. Since two of the prodrugs caused significant irritation, only 3-(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-diphenylhydantoin disodium phosphate ester might be useful as a nonirritant phenytoin prodrug suitable for parenteral administration. To confirm the release of phenytoin from this prodrug, phenytoin availability after intramuscular and intravenous administrations of the phosphate prodrug was evaluated in rats and compared with sodium phenytoin. The prodrug quantitatively released phenytoin after intravenous administration, and phenytoin levels from intramuscular administration of the prodrug were far superior to those generated from similarly administered sodium phenytoin. Based on this and earlier studies, it was concluded that this prodrug should be further assessed as a parenteral form of phenytoin.

A kinetic and mechanistic study of the hydrolysis of camptothecin and some analogues.

Quantitative rate and equilibrium constants for the hydrolysis of the lactone (ring E) in camptothecin (1) and analogues (2-5, all substituted in the A ring of 1) at 25 degrees C in aqueous solution were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-visible detection and by UV-visible spectrophotometry. It was shown that the lactone was converted to the carboxylate in a pH-dependent equilibrium. No major differences were observed in rate and equilibrium constants for 1-5, a result suggesting that the mechanism of lactone hydrolysis is independent of a variety of substituents on the A ring. The conversion of the lactone to its carboxylate form occurred under neutral and basic conditions and appeared to be largely dependent on hydroxide ion. The conversion of the carboxylate to the lactone was observed under neutral and acidic conditions and was pH independent at pH values greater than 5 and dependent on hydronium ion at pH values less than 5. Significant incorporation of oxygen-18 into the lactone ring of 3, a water-soluble analogue of 1, was observed for the ring opening and subsequent ring closing of 3 in H2(18)O. This finding strongly suggests that the mechanism of lactone ring hydrolysis involved acyl cleavage rather than alkyl cleavage. Kinetic solvent isotope effects (kH2O/kD2O, where kH2O and kD2O are the rate constants in H2O and D2O, respectively), obtained over the pH-rate profile for 1, were used to speculate about the nature of the transition states involved in the opening and closing reactions of the lactone ring.

Phenylbutazone ionization kinetics.

Phenylbutazone has been associated with bioavailability problems and has shown nonclassical behavior in phase-transport studies. This nonclassical behavior has been attributed, in part, to the fact that phenylbutazone, as a carbon acid, undergoes noninstantaneous ionization kinetics. Instantaneous reaction is an assumption made in many diffusion-limited transport models involving a simultaneous ionization reaction. The ionization kinetics of phenylbutazone were determined at an ionic strength of 0.1 and 25 degrees using a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. A log kobs versus pH profile for the approach to the ionization equilibrium was determined, and a mechanism consistent with the profile was postulated. The percent enol versus the diketo form of phenylbutazone acid as well as pKaenol and pKadiketo was kinetically calculated. The protonation reaction was highly catalyzed by general acids while the deprotonation reaction was highly catalyzed by general bases. The general acid, water, was a poor proton donor to the anionic form (the so-called mesomericanion) of phenylbutazone.