Abstract

M. Balasubramanian, S. Thennarasu, and P. T. Perumal*

The reaction between ninhydrin and hexamine is reported for the first time. An analytical method for the detection and determination of hexamine is phosphate buffer has been developed. Important parameters, viz. reaction time, temperature and effect of pH have been optimised using UV spectroscopy. A reaction time of 60 min. at 100°C and the acidic condition (pH 6.0) proved optimal. A procedure for the quantitative determination of hexamine present in the antibacterial drug hiprex using UV spectroscopy was employed. The reproducibility of the determination was in the range of 0.00446 SD for hexamine and 0.0174 SD for hiprex. The lower quantitation limits of 0.17 μg/mL buffer for for hexamine and 10 μg/ml for hiprex were also evaluated. The combined effect is a new method capable of determining hexamine and hiprex at micrro molar concentration.

Spectrophotometric studies; Ninhydrin; Hexamine; Hiprex

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