Quantitative analysis of sulpiride and impurities of 2-aminomethyl-1-ethylpyrrolidine and methyl-5-sulphamoyl-2-methoxybenzoate in pharmaceuticals by high-performance thin-layer chromatography and scanning densitometry

Abstract

A simple and reliable thin-layer chromatographic method for determining sulpiride and impurities of 2-aminomethyl-1-ethylpyrrolidine and methyl-5-sulphamoyl-2-methoxybenzoate was developed and validated. A methylene chloride-methanol-ammonia solution (25%; 18 + 2.8 + 0.4, v/v) solvent system is used for separation and quantitative evaluation of chromatograms. The chromatographic plate is first scanned at 240 nm to locate chromatographic zones corresponding to sulpiride and methyl-5-sulphamoyl-2-methoxybenzoate. Then 2-aminomethyl-1-ethylpyrrolidine is derivatized in situ with ninhydrin, and resulting colored spots are measured at 500 nm. The method is reproducible and convenient for quantitative analysis and purity control of sulpiride in its raw material and in its dosage forms.