Spectrophotometric assay for chloramphenicol and some derivatives in the pure form and in formulations

A new analytical method for chloramphenicol and its derivatives, chloramphenicol succinate sodium and d-(-)-threo-2-amino-l-[p-nitrophenyl]-1,3-propanediol (chloramphenicol base) in the pure state or in pharmaceutical preparations, is described. The method is based on measuring the blue colour produced by the interaction of ammonium molybdate with the products of the alkaline hydrolysis of the drugs. There are certain advantages of simplicity and sensitivity over current methods. The Beer's law limits, effects of temperature, acidity and reagent concentration, and statistical analysis of experimental results are reported.