HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF 3-HYDROXY-3-METHYLGLUTARYL COENZYME-A AS DIPHENACYL ESTER OF 3-HYDROXY-3-METHYLGLUTARATE

A method for derivatization of (S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) by phenacylation in tetrahexylammonium hydrogensulphate a s phase-transfer reagent and high-performance liquid chromatography of the HMG-diphenacyl ester is described. To avoid interference with buf fers and other ions used to disserve biological material, the alkaline hydrolysate of CoA esters has to be neutralized with phosphoric rathe r than hydrochloric acid. The latter reacts with phenacyl bromide. The pH during phenacylation has to be maintained in the range 6-7 to prov ide sufficient dissociation of HMG.