| Abstract: | Determination of ionization and extraction constants for procaine, tetracaine, and propoxycaine led to selection of a simple partition chromatographic system for separation and assay of mixtures of these anesthetics. A 65% solution of chloroform in isooctane elutes tetracaine or propoxycaine from a pH 4:sodium bromide column; procaine is retained and subsequently eluted by chloroform as the bromide ion-pair. The anesthetics are then determined spectrophotometrically. Results of assay of standard and commercial formulations are presented. |
