Determination of naproxen in pharmaceutical preparations by room-temperature phosphorescence. A comparative study of several organized media

Abstract

Different methods for the determination of naproxen by room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) using organized media such as cyclodextrins (β-CD and γ-CD) and micelles (Triton X-100 and sodium dodecyl sulfate) are reported. The inclusion complexes formed between both β- and γ-cyclodextrins and naproxen were previously investigated at both acid and basic pH by spectrofluorimetry. In both cases, 1∶1 guest–host stoichiometries were established and the corresponding association constants were calculated. Different systems were examined with the purpose of obtaining phosphorescent emission from naproxen solutions, and the best signals were obtained when naproxen was in the presence of β-CD–cyclohexane–Tl(I), γ-CD–1,3-dibromopropane, Triton X-100–Tl(I) and SDS–Tl(I), respectively. In all cases, sodium sulfite was used as deoxygenator. The use of an inorganic compound (thallium nitrate) as a heavy-atom source in a cyclodextrin system represents a novel finding. Surface response optimization approaches were carried out to optimize the chemical variables which have an influence on the RTP emission of naproxen. Based on the results obtained, univariate RTP calibration methods for the determination of the analyte in pharmaceutical preparations were satisfactorily developed. In one case, the standard additions method was applied to a mixture of naproxen and the antibiotic tetracycline.