title: Characterization of atenolol transformation products on light-activated TiO2 surface by high-performance liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry.
abstract: We have studied the photocatalytic transformation of atenolol, 4-[2-hydroxy-3-[(1-methyl)amino]propoxyl]benzeneacetamide, a cardioselective beta-blocking agent used to treat cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension, under simulated solar irradiation using titanium dioxide as photocatalyst. The investigation involved monitoring drug decomposition, identifying intermediate compounds, assessing mineralization, and evaluating toxicity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) via an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface was a powerful tool for the identification and measurement of the degradation products; 23 main species were identified. Intermediates were characterized through their chromatographic behavior and evolution kinetics, coupled with accurate mass information. Through the full analysis of MS and MS(n) spectra and a comparison with parent drug fragmentation pathways, the diverse isomers were characterized. Neither atenolol nor the intermediates formed exhibit acute toxicity. All intermediates are easily degraded and no compound identified could withstand 2 h irradiation. Photomineralization of the substrate in terms of carbon mineralization and nitrogen release was rapid and, within 4 h of irradiation, organic nitrogen and carbon were completely mineralized.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica Analitica, Università di Torino, via P. Giuria 5, 10125 Torino, Italy. claudio.medana@unito.it
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Medana
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calza
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pelizzetti
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hidaka
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baiocchi
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D001262:Atenolol / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; C009495:titanium dioxide; D001262:Atenolol; D014025:Titanium