FLUOROMETRIC AND PHOTOCHEMICALLY INDUCED FLUOROMETRIC-DETERMINATION OF ETHOPROPAZINE, LEVOMEPROMAZINE, THIOPROPERAZINE AND TRIFLUOPERAZINE

Fluorimetry and photochemically induced fluorimetry (PIF) are proposed for the quantitative analysis of four psychotropic drugs, including e thopropazine (EPZ), levomepromazine (LPZ), thioproperazine (TPZ) and t rifluoperazine (TFZ). The influence of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation ti me on the fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths and intensi ty was investigated in aqueous buffer solutions (pH 4 - 6) at room tem perature (298 K). The selected UV irradiation times were between 10 an d 50 s, depending on the compound. Linear calibration graphs were esta blished over about two to four orders of magnitude, with relative stan dard deviations in the range 2.0 - 5.4%. PIF limits of detection were comprised between 2.6 and 8 ng ml(-1), depending on the compound. The PIF method was found to be more sensitive and more reliable than conve ntional fluorimetry for the phenothiazine derivatives under study. PIF was applied to the determination of these compounds in urine rind pha rmaceutical samples. The mean recoveries ranged from 88 to 119%.