Synthesis of (S)-naproxen-benzotriazole and its application as chiral derivatizing reagent for microwave-assisted synthesis and indirect high performance liquid chromatographic separation of diastereomers of penicillamine, cysteine and homocysteine.

(S)-Naproxen-benzotriazole was synthesized by the reaction of (S)-naproxen with 1H-benzotriazole using coupling reagent dicyclohexyl carbodiimide and 4-dimethylamino pyridine (DCC/DMAP). It was used as chiral derivatizing reagent for microwave irradiated synthesis of diastereomers of penicillamine, cysteine and homocysteine. The diastereomers were separated by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography using gradient elution of triethylammonium phosphate (pH 3.5)-acetonitrile (30-65% within 30 min). The method was validated for accuracy, precision, and limit of detection.