Fluorescence derivatization method for sensitive chromatographic determination of zidovudine based on the Huisgen reaction

•A fluorescence derivatization method for determination of zidovudine is described.•Zidovudine can be reacted with fluorescent alkyne based on the Huisgen reaction.•The method allows sensitive and selective determination of zidovudine in plasma.

A novel pre-column fluorescence derivatization method for chromatographic analysis of azide compounds was developed based on the Huisgen reaction, which is a specific cycloaddition reaction between an alkyne and an azide. We designed and synthesized a fluorescent alkyne, 2-(4-ethynylphenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole (DIB-ET) as a reagent. DIB-ET has a lophine skeleton carrying an alkyne acting as fluorophore and reactive center, respectively. In order to evaluate the practicality of DIB-ET, a high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method was developed for the determination of zidovudine as a model of azide compound. Zidovudine could be reacted with DIB-ET in the presence of copper(II) sulfate and L-ascorbic acid as catalysts, and the formed derivative was detected fluorometrically. The proposed method allows sensitive and selective determination of zidovudine in plasma samples with the detection limit of 0.28 ng mL−1 at a S/N = 3. Finally, the proposed method could be applied to determine the zidovudine concentration in rat plasma after administration of zidovudine without interference from biological components.