AIM: To develop a new method for the determination of clarithromycin. METHODS: The catalytic wave of clarithromycin in the presence of K2S2O8 was used for improving the analytical sensitivity. The rapid determination of clarithromycin has been carried out by linear single sweep polarography. RESULTS: The reduction wave of clarithromycin appeared at ca. -0.79 V (vs SCE) in 0.24 mol x L(-1) KH2PO4-Na2HPO4 (pH 6.81) supporting electrolyte, which was ascribed to the reduction of carbonyl group on C-9 position. In the presence of 0.01 mol x L(-1) K2S2O8, the reduction wave was catalyzed to produce a parallel catalytic wave. The peak current of the catalytic wave was ca. Twenty times higher than that of the corresponding reduction wave. Based on the catalytic wave, a new method for the determination of clarithromycin has been proposed. The peak current of the catalytic wave was rectilinear to clarithromycin concentration in the range of 4.0 x 10(-7)-5.0 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). The detection limit was 2.0 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1). CONCLUSION: The proposed method could be used for the direct determination of clarithromycin in pharmaceuticals and urine without preliminary separation.
AIM: To develop a new method for the determination of clarithromycin. METHODS: The catalytic wave of clarithromycin in the presence of K2S2O8 was used for improving the analytical sensitivity. The rapid determination of clarithromycin has been carried out by linear single sweep polarography. RESULTS: The reduction wave of clarithromycin appeared at ca. -0.79 V (vs SCE) in 0.24 mol x L(-1) KH2PO4-Na2HPO4 (pH 6.81) supporting electrolyte, which was ascribed to the reduction of carbonyl group on C-9 position. In the presence of 0.01 mol x L(-1) K2S2O8, the reduction wave was catalyzed to produce a parallel catalytic wave. The peak current of the catalytic wave was ca. Twenty times higher than that of the corresponding reduction wave. Based on the catalytic wave, a new method for the determination of clarithromycin has been proposed. The peak current of the catalytic wave was rectilinear to clarithromycin concentration in the range of 4.0 x 10(-7)-5.0 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1). The detection limit was 2.0 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1). CONCLUSION: The proposed method could be used for the direct determination of clarithromycin in pharmaceuticals and urine without preliminary separation.