TLC DETECTION OF PHOTOLYTIC AND HYDROLYTIC DEGRADATION PRODUCTS OF SELECTED ANTIBACTERIAL SULFONAMIDES

Chromatographic conditions have been determined for the separation and identification of the degradation products of selected antibacterial sulfonamides (sulfadimidine, sulfisoxazole, sulfathiazole, and sulfame thoxydine), A hydrolytic and photolytic study of sulfonamides has been performed by heating in 1 M hydrochloric acid and by irradiating solu tions in 0.5 M sodium hydrogen carbonate with a mercury discharge lamp , By use of standards, combined detection under a UV lamp, and color r eactions, it is possible to identify the photolytic and hydrolytic deg radation products of the sulfonamides studied, The method is suitable for rapid verification of the purity of the sulfonamides under study f rom the point of view of the presence of degradation products.