Rapid determination of isoamyl nitrite in pharmaceutical preparations by flow injection analysis with on-line UV irradiation and luminol chemiluminescence detection.

Isoamyl nitrite is used as a therapeutic reagent for cardiac angina and as an antidote for cyanide poisoning, but it is abused because of its euphoric properties. Therefore, a method to determine isoamyl nitrite is required in many fields, including pharmaceutical and forensic studies. In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive method for the determination of isoamyl nitrite was developed using a flow injection analysis system equipped with a chemiluminescence detector and on-line photoreactor. This method is based on on-line ultraviolet irradiation of isoamyl nitrite and subsequent luminol chemiluminescence detection without the addition of an oxidant. A linear standard curve was obtained up to 1.0 µM of isoamyl nitrite with a detection limit (blank + 3SD) of 0.03 µM. The method was successfully applied to determine isoamyl nitrite content in pharmaceutical preparations.

NMR analysis of pharmaceuticals XIV: determination of amyl nitrite in its inhalant dosage form.

An NMR procedure is described for the analysis of amyl nitrite as a drug entity and in inhalant dosage forms. The choices of solvent (carbon tetrachloride) and internal standards (biphenyl or benzyl benzoate) were made with respect to stability problems and the presence of stabilizers in the formulation. The method is precise, with a standard deviation of +/-0.5. The NMR results of synthetic solutions and commercial preparations were compared with those obtained by a published relative NMR procedure and a compendial titrimetric method. The results were generally satisfactory.