A method for the rapid detection of the zopiclone degradation product 2-amino-5-chloropyridine

Zopiclone (Zimovane) is a cyclopyrrolone compound which exhibits hypnotic a nd sedative effects while also exhibiting anticonvulsant and muscle relaxan t activities. The detection and quantification of zopiclone is difficult. I t has a high molecular weight compared to most other commonly used drugs, t herapeutic levels are not high, and it is unstable in nucleophilic solvents . A degradation product of zopiclone, 2-amino-5-chloropyridine (ACP) togeth er with a method for its detection using highperformance liquid chromatogra phy with diode array detection has been described previously. An account is presented of a simple method for the detection of ACP using gas chromatogr aphy with mass selective detection (GC/MS) which will facilitate detection of zopiclone use as part of a routine screen.