n-methyl-n-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and pentafluorobenzyl-bromide

A simple procedure based upon capillary column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is described for the detection and determination of isatin (indole-2,3-dione) in body fluids and tissues. After addition of 5-methylisatin as internal standard to urine or tissue homogenates, organic extracts are dried and derivatized successively with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and the reagent N-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA). The tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives obtained show good GC-MS properties and allow quantification by selected-ion monitoring of m/z 333 (isatin) and m/z 347 (internal standard). Adult and newborn human urine output values lie in the ranges 0.4-3.2 mg/mmol of creatinine (5-30 mg per 24 h) and 0.002-0.518 mg/mmol of creatinine, respectively. There is a discontinuous regional distribution in rat tissues. The GC-MS properties of a number of derivatives formed by successive reaction of isatin with hydroxylamine hydrochloride (or methoxyaminehydrochloride or ethoxyamine hydrochloride) and MTBSTFA, bis(trimethylsiyl)trifluoroacetamide, pentafluoropropionic anhydride or pentafluorobenzyl bromide are also described.

Topics: Acetamides; Adult; Animals; Brain Chemistry; Fluorine; Fluoroacetates; Fluorobenzenes; Fluorocarbons; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Isatin; Organosilicon Compounds; Oximes; Rats; Trimethylsilyl Compounds