Resolution of prostaglandin p-nitrophenacyl esters by liquid chromatography and conditions for rapid, quantitiative p-nitrophenacylation

Identification of reaction products from the pyridinium dichromate derivatization of prostaglandins by high-performance liquid chromatography and direct chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The reaction products from the oxidation of prostaglandins with pyridinium dichromate have been identified by direct chemical ionization mass spectrometry of the underivatized compounds after separation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet diode-array detection. The thermal influence on the reproducibility of the dehydration patterns of the mass spectra was studied. The main products from the prostaglandins E1, E2, F1 alpha and F2 alpha were the corresponding 15-oxo derivatives. Minor amounts of the 9,11,15-trioxoprostaglandin were formed from PGE, while the oxidation of PGF was less selective, yielding additional dioxo derivatives. Addition of water to the reagent reduced the reactivity, but increased the selectivity in favour of the formation of 15-oxo-PGF during the oxidation of PGF.

Detection of prostaglandins by high-performance liquid chromatography after conversion to p-(9-anthroyloxy)phenacyl esters

p-(9-Anthroyloxy)phenacyl bromide (panacyl bromide) undergoes rapid reaction with the carboxyl group of prostaglandins in the presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine in acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran (4:1). The resulting prostaglandin panacyl esters are strongly uv absorbing with a lambda max at 253 nm and an epsilon of 174,280 in acetonitrile. The lower limit of detection of prostaglandins was approximately 200 pg with uv detection (254 nm) and about 30 pg with fluorescent detection (exitation 253 and emission 445 nm) using normal-phase HPLC. The reactivity of panacyl bromide with 23 prostaglandins as well as prostaglandins released by human lung tissues was investigated.

High pressure reverse phase liquid chromatography of fatty acid p-bromophenacyl esters

High pressure reverse phase liquid chromatography has been employed to rapidly separate saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as the corresponding p-bromophenacyl esters. Through the use of a highly efficient C18 reverse phase column packing, it has also been possible to distinguish among geometrical and positional isomers of the unsaturated acids. The use of ultroviolet-sensitive esters has permitted the detection of low (nanogram range) concentrations of fatty acids. The time required for analysis has been further reduced by employing a novel and rapid method for the preparation of the esters.