Abstract

In the group of commonly prescribed β-blocker drugs, one of the enantiomers is generally relatively more active than the others. This study aims to develop a technique for the chiral analysis of select β-blockers based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectrometry. (S)-2-Tert-butyl-2-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole-4-carboxylic acid ((S)-TBMB) was synthesized and utilized as a chiral derivatizing agent. Pure β-blocker enantiomers were isolated from racemates by semi-preparative liquid chromatography prior to derivatization. The reaction time and concentration of (S)-TBMB were controlled to improve the derivatization procedure. No racemization was found during the analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was also performed for comparative purposes. High agreement between the NMR and HPLC methods was achieved in the determination of (R)-metoprolol in a standard solution of the (S) isomer.