4-(6-METHOXY-2-NAPHTHYL)-2-BUTYL CHLOROFORMATE ENANTIOMERS - NEW REAGENTS FOR THE ENANTIOSPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF AMINO-COMPOUNDS IN BIOGENIC MATRICES

(+)- and (-)-4-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)-2-butyl chloroformate (NAB-C) we re prepared from the prochiral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent n abumetone with the aim of developing easily detectable chloroformate r eagents for the enantiospecific HPLC analysis of amino compounds in bi ogenic matrices on achiral stationary phases. The new reagents were te sted in the derivatization of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and anti-a rrhythmic agents and allowed derivatization in the presence of water. (+)- and (-)-NAB-C were compared with other reagents with a 6-methoxy- 2-naphthyl moiety as a chromophore. The reagents were suitable for the analysis of nanogram amounts of, for example, metoprolol enantiomers in plasma, a prerequisite for application in pharmaco- or toxicokineti c studies.