Screening, identification and quantitation of benzodiazepines in serum by solid phase extraction on a cyanopropyl phase using high performance liquidchromatography and photodiode array detection

A screening procedure for benzodiazepines in serum is presented. The compou nds are extracted over a cyanopropyl phase followed by identification and d etermination via high performance liquid chromatography and photodiode arra y detection. Diazepam (CAS 439-14-5), flunitrazepam (CAS 1622-62-4), nordaz epam (CAS 1088-11-5), oxazepam (CAS 604-75-1) and temazepam (CAS 846-50-4) are quantified. Retention data of 42 benzodiazepines and their metabolites as well as hydrolysis products are listed. This assay leads to an expansion of a known systematic toxicological analysis system to identify pharmaceut icals, drugs of abuse and pesticides.