Oxidized diphenylamine as a spectrophotometrec reagent for the determination of some pharmaceutical thiols and thioamides

Oxidized diphenylamine is newly utilized as a redox spectrophotometric reagent for the determination of six pharmaceutically important thiol and thioamide drugs named: acetylcystiene, captopril, carbimazole, propylthiouracil, thiopental sodium, and tiopronin. The method is based on measurement of the decrease in absorption intensity of the oxidized diphenylamine [diphenylbenzidine violet, lambda max = 580 nm] reagent as a result of the reduction effect of the analysed drugs This reagent was instantaneously prepared by the oxidation of diphenylamine using ferric sulphate in sulphuric acid medium. The molar ratio of the chromogen reagent was determined to be 2:1; diphenylamine: iron [III]. The decrease in colour intensity was found to be quantitatively dependent on drug concentration. Experimental variables including reagent concentration, acid type and concentration, dilution solvent, reaction time, temperature and stability were studied and optimized. Validation parameters including linearity range, detection and quantitation limits, precision, selectivity and robustness were evaluated. The proposed method was found to be simple, sensitive and accurate one indicated by the studied validation parameters. Good recoveries [98.0 +/- 0.14 - 100%, +/- 0.98] were obtained by the suggested method and it was applied for the determination of the studied drugs in many pharmaceutical dosage forms available in the local market. Good agreement, indicated by acceptable t- and F- tests, was found between results obtained by the suggested method and those obtained by the reported or pharmacopoeial methods