Rapid Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Profiling of Serotonin Receptor Ligands and their Related Compounds

The retention profile of six serotonin receptor ligands such as arylpiperazines (aripiprazole, ziprasidone, risperidone), and benzothiazepine derivatives (olanzapine, mianserin, quetiapine), was investigated on C8 alkyl and pentafluorophenylpropyl stationary phases. The experimental design methodology was used to define their retention behavior and achieve acceptable separation results. Both phases showed satisfactory selectivity for all compounds. The optimal separation among the structurally related arylpiperazines and benzothiazepines was found with the C8 phase at 25°C, using acetonitrile (40%, v/v) and 20 mM ammonium acetate as a mobile phase modifier. The selectivity and sensitivity performances of the selected C8 system were discussed considering the separation of aripiprazole and its related compounds. In addition, the specified conditions were validated for determining aripiprazole in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The developed reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method can be successfully used for the rapid chromatographic profiling of serotonin receptor ligands and related analogs, providing increased selectivity during pharmaceutical analysis.