11438 - Drug Analysis II (GR.B)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the theoretical and practical knowledge about the analytical procedures for the identification of inorganic and organic drug-related compounds, by means of chemical reactions and instrumental methods. In particular, attention will be paid to the different methods reported in the European Pharmacopoeia or Italian FU. The course includes laboratory activity.

Course contents

Introduction: Programme and aim of the course. The European Pharmacopoeia.

Characters: Intermolecular binding forces and physical state, colour.

Solubility. Solubility of inorganic salts, solubility product and modification of chemical equilibrium. Dissolution process of organic compounds, Solvents properties (polarity and dielectric constant). Solutes: relationship between chemical structure and solubility. Solubility test.

Chemical analysis of drugs. Elemental analysis: heating test and Lassaigne’s test. Analysis of inorganic drugs: reactions for the identification of cations (silver, mercury, bismuth, copper, aluminium, iron, zinc, calcium, barium, magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium, ammonium) e anions (chloride, bromide, iodide, acetate, sulfate, phosphate, carbonate and hydrogen carbonate, nitrate). Flame test. Identification reactions of functional groups of organic drugs: unsaturated carbons, aromatics, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes and ketones, acids and esters, amines.

Determination of physical properties. Melting point, boiling point, density, refractive index, optical rotation.

Absorption spectroscopy: Applications of Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometry for the identification of drugs. Principles and apparatus of Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrophotometries and applications to the identification of drug substances.

Extraction techniques: liquid-solid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction (partition coefficient, effect of pH and salts).

Chromatographic techniques: The chromatographic process, separation mechanisms (adsorption, ripartition, ion exchange, molecular exclusion, affinity). Column and Thin-layer chromatography (TLC).

The course includes laboratory activity that will allow every single student to carry out analyses concerning the abovementioned subjects.

Readings/Bibliography

V. Cavrini, V. Andrisano, Analisi Farmaceutica. Metodi di riconoscimento e di separazione. Società Editrice Esculapio

Teaching methods

Laboratory exercise. Lectures

Assessment methods

Oral and Laboratory examinations

Teaching tools

Video projector

pc

Laboratory

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Milelli