A method for the rapid detection of the zopiclone degradation product 2-amino-5-chloropyridine.
Zopiclone (Zimovane) is a cyclopyrrolone compound which exhibits hypnotic and sedative effects while also exhibiting anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant activities. The detection and quantification of zopiclone is difficult. It has a high molecular weight compared to most other commonly used drugs, therapeutic levels are not high, and it is unstable in nucleophilic solvents. A degradation product of zopiclone, 2-amino-5-chloropyridine (ACP) together with a method for its detection using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection has been described previously. An account is presented of a simple method for the detection of ACP using gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC/MS) which will facilitate detection of zopiclone use as part of a routine screen.
Galloway
J H
JH
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Marsh
I D
ID
Newton
C M
CM
Forrest
A R
AR
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000032:analysis*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000032:analysis*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000032:analysis*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; C515050:zopiclone; C108972:2-amino-5-chloropyridine