Abstract
The fluorigenic labeling of Matacil (4-dimethylamino- m-tolyl N-methylcarbamate) and Zectran (4-dimethylamino-3,5-xylyl Wmethylcarbamate) with dansyl chloride (1-dimethylamino- naphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride) results in 3 fluorescent derivatives, and labeling with NBD-Cl (4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo- 2,1,3-oxadiazole) produces 2 fluorescent derivatives for each carbamate, all of which can be separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC). These derivatives are identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and fluorescence spectroscopy, aided by TLC data. The carbamates are hydrolyzed in dilute base and the resulting amine or phenol hydrolysis products react with the labeling reagents. The derivatives are analyzed by TLC and in situ fluorimetry with a spectrophotometer in the fluorescence mode and a spectrophotofluorometer with the thin layer scanning accessory. Reactions, fluorescence phenomena, and chromatographic properties of the derivatives are investigated for evaluation of the method as a quantitative technique. A reproducibility of 3–5% relative standard deviation can be expected in the concentration range from 15 to 300 ng/spot for derivatives of the 2 labeling procedures. The dansyl derivatives are instrumentally detectable as low as 1 ng/spot while the NBD derivatives may be detected at concentrations of less than 0.5 mg/spot.
