Determination of Metoprolol Tartrate as Cu(II)-Dithiocarbamate Complex

Abstract

An HPLC method has been developed for the determination of the beta adrenergic blocking drug metoprolol tartrate. The method is based on the formation of a Cu (II) - dithiocarbamate complex by precolumn derivatization of secondary amino group of metoprolol with CS₂ and CuCl₂ in the presence of ammonia. The complex is extracted into chloroform and injected into the chromatograph. Chromatographic separation was performed by a RP (μ Bondapak C₁₈) column with methanol - pH 5.8 phosphate buffer (80 : 20) as the isocratic mobile phase. A variable wavelength absorbance detector (λ = 275 nm) was used. A linear relationship was obtained between peak areas and metoprolol tartrate concentrations over the range of 35 - 180 nmol ml⁻¹. The method was applied to the analysis of metoprolol tartrate tablets and the results were statistically compared with those obtained by official method using t - and F - tests.