Synthesis and characterization of a catechol metabolite of glutethimide (Doriden) in human urine.

A metabolite of glutethimide, 2-ethyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-glutarimide, previously identified in enzymatically hydrolyzed human urine of overdosed victims was prepared synthetically and its chemical and spectral data compared to the proposed material. Results of these comparisons confirm the presence of a catechol metabolite of glutethimide in the urine of patients severely intoxicated by the parent drug.