Phosphorescence from 3, 4-Dihydroxyphenyl Derivatives in Basic Solution and Its Use for the Assay of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine in Urine

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Abstract
Phosphorescence derived from 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl derivatives such as catecholamines in aqueous basic solution and its use for the assay of epinephrine and norepinephrine in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography are described. Intense phosphorescence is obtained from epinephrine and norepinephrine when the amines are allowed to stand in 0.02 M NaOH at room temperature for 20 min. The limits of detection for epinephrine and norepinephrine are 2 .times. 10-8 and 4 .times. 10-8 M (1 and 2 pmol in 50 .mu.l of sample required for the phosphorimetric procedure), respectively. As little as 5 and 10 pmol of epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively, in 2.0 ml of urine can be assayed.