Ammonium hydrogencarbonate, an excellent buffer for the analysis of basic drugs by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry at high pH

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 987; no. 1; pp. 211 - 220
• Main Authors: Espada, Alfonso, Rivera-Sagredo, Alfonso
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 14.02.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Ammonium hydrogencarbonate; Analysis; Basic drugs; Biological and medical sciences; Buffers; Carbonates - chemistry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; General pharmacology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Ammonium hydrogencarbonate; Buffer composition; pH effects; Basic drugs; Chemical analysis; Procainamide; HPLC chromatography; Mobile phase; Flunarizine; Oxprenolol; Ammonium Hydrogencarbonates; Electrospray; Basic compound; pH; Propranolol; Lidoflazine; Elution; Gradient; Phase composition; Coupled method; Dipyridamole; Diltiazem; Buffer solution; Nifedipine; Reversed phase chromatography; Multicomponent analysis; Ultraviolet detector; Simultaneous measurement; Verapamil; Evaporative light scattering detector; Mass spectrometry; Pindolol
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9673(02)01819-8

Ammonium hydrogencarbonate buffer has been found to be especially useful for high-pH HPLC analysis of samples from both combinatorial and medicinal chemistry sources. Satisfactory results were obtained by the standard diode array, evaporative light-scattering, and MS detection by using this buffer at a concentration of 10 m M. From a practical standpoint, ammonium hydrogencarbonate is an ideal buffer for chromatographers since it provides excellent chromatographic behaviour and reproducible separation. In addition to this, its volatility makes it an essential tool for rapid LC–MS product identification. Ammonium hydrogencarbonate was tested for a number of drug-like compounds analysed as mixtures, and data obtained were compared to those from the classical and MS-friendly buffers widely used by chromatographers: trifluoroacetic and formic acids. The results of this study revealed the suitability of this buffer for routine HPLC application in research laboratories.