Column chromatographic analysis of barbiturates in their dosage forms. IV. Combinations with parabens.

The nature of the alkaline hydrolysis of some barbiturates in combinations with parabens (p-hydroxybenzoates) was studied with controlled variables, including temperature, viscosity, and concentrations of sodium hydroxide, barbiturate, and parabens. The kinetic studies showed that parabens could be completely hydrolyzed in strong base at 40 degrees C in 1 hr, while the barbiturate remained intact and was readily isolated by partition chromatography, Based on the theoretical results, a partition chromatographic procedure for butabarbital with parabens was devised. Standard recoveries averaged 100.7% with a standard deviation of 0.89. Kinetic data indicate that the hydrolysis of parabens could also be applied to analyze combinations with amo-, seco-, and pentobarbitals. Phenobarbital and parabens are readily separated by partition chromatographic methods without prior hydrolysis of the parabens. The low extraction constant for phenobarbital allowed its retention on a column against relatively strong solvents while the intact parabens are eluted. A slightly modified method was applied to the separation of phenobarbital from parabens. Standard recoveries average 99.9% with a standard deviation of 0.69.