Salicylic acid hydrolysis

Many pharmaceutical compounds contain chromophores that make them suitable for analysis by UV/Vis absorption. Products that have been analyzed in this fashion include antibiotics, hormones, vitamins, and analgesics. One example of the use of UV absorption is in determining the purity of aspirin tablets, for which the active ingredient is acetylsalicylic acid. Salicylic acid, which is produced by the hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid, is an undesirable impurity in aspirin tablets, and should not be present at more than 0.01% w/w. Samples can be screened for unacceptable levels of salicylic acid by monitoring the absorbance at a wavelength of... 

Hydrolysis of aspirin in H2 0 leads to no incorporation of into the product salicylic acid, ruling out the anhydride as an intermediate and thereby excluding mechanism 1. The general acid catalysis of mechanism III can be ruled out on the basis of failure of other nucleophiles to show evidence for general acid catalysis by the neighboring carboxylic acid group. Because there is no reason to believe hydroxide should be special in this way, mechanism III is eliminated. Thus, mechanism II, general base catalysis of hydroxide-ion attack, is believed to be the correct description of the hydrolysis of aspirin. 

Salicylic acid was used for phosphite protection in the synthesis of glycosyl phosphites and phosphates. This derivative is very reactive and readily forms a phosphite upon treatment with an alcohol or a phosphonic acid upon aqueous hydrolysis. ... 

Since reproducibility of the flow system is critical to obtaining reproducibility, one approach has been to substitute lower-performance columns (50-to 100-p packings) operated at higher temperatures.1 Often, improvements in detection and data reduction can substitute for resolution. Chemometric principles are a way to sacrifice chromatographic efficiency but still obtain the desired chemical information. An example of how meaningful information can be derived indirectly from chromatographic separation is the use of system or vacancy peaks to monitor chemical reactions such as the titration of aniline and the hydrolysis of aspirin to salicylic acid.18... 

Much work has been done since, and it is quite evident that this seemingly simple hydrolysis to acetic and salicylic acids is both complex and controversial. I am fortunate that I can refer the reader to the excellent and detailed review by Clark A. Kelly151 already mentioned in Section 5.61. The most complete and thorough kinetic studies of the factors involved in the hydrolysis of aspirin are undoubtedly those by Edwards17 3, which were further elaborated by Garrett.174... 

Once absorbed, aspirin is rapidly converted to salicylic acid. After i.v. administration, the half life of aspirin in the human organism was found to be only 15 minutes191 by Rowland and Riegelman who also estimated that only 20% of the in vivo hydrolysis takes place in blood.192... 

Determination in Biological Fluids and Tissues All the advances in pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism described in Sections 7 and 8 would not have been possible without the availability of the proper analytical methods. The following is a tabulation of publications in this field, most of which have already been discussed in Section 5. It should be mentioned that a few publications talk about aspirin blood levels, but really mean salicylate levels. The following tabulation covers only those papers where aspirin was differentiated from other salicylates by chromatography or other means. It seems that the "workhorse" for serum salicylate levels is still the colorimetric (ferric-nitrate) method of Brodie, Udenfriend and Coburn153 published in 1944, or modifications thereof. Simplified versions (cf. 206) may lead to erroneous results under certain conditions.207 The method is also applicable for urinary metabolites after proper hydrolysis (cf. 208). For other methods restricted to salicylic acid, see Section 5.61. 

The level of phenol detected in blood or urine may not accurately reflect actual phenol exposure because phenol may also appear as a metabolite of benzene or other drugs. It has been shown that under certain acidic conditions used for the hydrolysis of conjugated phenols, acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin) may produce phenol (Baldwin et al. 1981) and yield spuriously higher values for phenol in blood and urine. 

The salicylimides (4.169) were found to be markedly more resistant to chemical hydrolysis than 4.166. These compounds were hydrolyzed exclusively at the distal amide bond, meaning that hydrolysis produced only sali-cylamide (4.170) and not salicylic acid. This behavior has been ascribed to steric hindrance by the 2-OH group. An intramolecular general base catalysis does not seem to be involved since, as stated, the salicylamides were less reactive than the corresponding benzamides. The rate of plasma-catalyzed hydrolysis of the A-acylsalicylamides was also dependent on the nature of... 

A simple compound to begin our presentation is acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, 7.44), the well-known analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug whose primary metabolite, salicylic acid (7.45), is also an anti-inflammatory agent but not an analgesic. Extensive kinetic data have been published on the chemical hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid as a function of temperature and... 

A variety of hydrolases catalyze the hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid. In humans, high activities have been seen with membrane-bound and cytosolic carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.1), plasma cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8), and red blood cell arylesterases (EC 3.1.1.2), whereas nonenzymatic hydrolysis appears to contribute to a small percentage of the total salicylic acid formed [76a] [82], A solution of serum albumin also displayed weak hydrolytic activity toward the drug, but, under the conditions of the study, binding to serum albumin decreased chemical hydrolysis at 37° and pH 7.4 from tm 12 1 h when unbound to 27 3 h for the fully bound drug [83], In contrast, binding to serum albumin increased by >50% the rate of carboxylesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis, as seen in buffers containing the hydrolase with or without albumin. It has been postulated that either bound acetylsalicylic acid is more susceptible to enzyme hydrolysis, or the protein directly activates the enzyme. 

NSAIDs) has been reported [36]. As shown in Table 8.3, the hydrolysis of the methyl esters in human plasma proceeds far too slowly to be of therapeutic interest, with tm values ranging from ca. 5 to 150 h. In contrast, the carbamoylmethyl benzoates are hydrolyzed very rapidly (perhaps too rapidly ) with tm values in the order of minutes. But Table 8.3 also illustrates another important point, namely the marked influence of the acyl moiety on the rate of hydrolysis, with a more than 500-fold difference between the smallest and the largest acid (salicylic acid and sulindac, respectively). 

The case of aspirin in Table 8.3 is of special interest. Indeed, its acetyl ester group is particularly labile to enzymatic and nonenzymatic hydrolysis (see Sect. 7.4), and the reaction is even faster when the carboxy group is neutralized by esterification. A true ester prodrug of acetylsalicylic acid must fulfill the condition that its hydrolysis liberates aspirin rather than a prodrug of salicylic acid. An investigation of several aspirin prodrugs confirmed the interest of carbamoylmethyl esters and showed the (ATV-diethylcarbamoyl)methyl ester (Table 8.3) to liberate the highest proportion (ca. 60%) of aspirin [37], In... 

Most published examples of prodrugs of relevance in the present context contain an a-amino acyl moiety. A number of reasons may explain this fact, such as the lack of toxicity of these natural compounds, the large differences in lipophilicity and other properties between amino acids, and the variability afforded by A-substituents. Interesting examples are provided by salicylic acid and metronidazole. Thus, the hydrolysis of tyrosine and methionine prodrugs of salicylic acid (8.104 and 8.105, respectively) was examined in rabbits after intraduodenal and intracecal administration [134], The former ester, but not the latter, was hydrolyzed in the mucosa of the small intestine. In addition, both prodrugs underwent marked hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. 

J. Nakamura, M. Kido, K. Nishida, H. Sasaki, Effect of Oral Pretreatment with Antibiotics on the Hydrolysis of Salicylic Acid-Tyrosine and Salicylic Acid-Methionine Prodrugs in Rabbit Intestinal Microorganisms , Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1992, 40, 2572-2575. 

In pond water, carbaryl degraded very rapidly to 1-naphthol. The latter degraded, presumably by Flavobacterium sp., into hydroxycinnamic acid, salicylic acid, and an unidentified compound (HSDB, 1989). Four d after carbaryl (30 mg/L and 300 ng/L) was added to Fall Creek water, >60% was mineralized to carbon dioxide. At pH 3, however, <10% was converted to carbon dioxide (Boethling and Alexander, 1979). Under these conditions, hydrolysis of carbaryl to 1-naphthol was rapid. The authors could not determine how much carbon dioxide was attributed to biodegradation of carbaryl and how much was due to the biodegradation of 1-naphthol (Boethling and Alexander, 1979). Hydrolysis half-lives of carbaryl in filtered and sterilized Hickory Hills (pH 6.7) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Number 1 pond water (pH 7.2) were 30 and 12 d, respectively (Wolfe et al., 1978). 

A sample of aspirin of accurately known mass is reacted with a known excess amount of sodium hydroxide solution. The alkali first catalyses the hydrolysis of aspirin to ethanoic acid and salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid) and then neutralises these acids. The overall balanced equation for the reaction is ... 

Aspirin is an ester, bnt it still contains a carboxylic acid fnnction (p/Ca 3.5). In aqueous solntion, there will thus be significant ionization. However, this ionization now provides an acid catalyst for ester hydrolysis and initiates autolysis (autohydrolysis). The hydrolysis product salicylic acid (pACa 3.0) is also acidic both aspirin and salicylic acid are aromatic acids and are rather stronger acids than aliphatic compounds such as acetic acid (pACa 4.8) (see Section 4.3.5). An aqueous solution of aspirin has a half-life of about 40 days at room temperature. In other words, after about 40 days, half of the material has been hydrolysed, and the biological activity will have deteriorated similarly. 

Ester hydrolysis does not invariably lead to inactive metabolites, as exemplified by acetylsalicylic acid. The cleavage product, salicylic acid, retains pharmacological activity. In certain cases, drugs are administered in the form of esters in order to facilitate absorption (enalapril enalaprilate testosterone undecanoate testosterone) or to reduce irritation of the gastrointestinal Lullmann, Color Atlas of Pharmacology... 

Aspirin Peak plasma levels of aspirin are achieved approximately 0.63 hours after administration of a 50 mg/day aspirin dose from dipyridamole and aspirin combination (given as 25 mg twice/day). The peak plasma concentration at steady-state is approximately 319 ng/mL. Aspirin undergoes moderate hydrolysis to salicylic acid in the liver and the Gl wall, with 50% to 75% of an administered dose reaching the systemic circulation as intact aspirin. 

Hot, dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis of 10, R = alkyl, aryl initially gives anthranilic acid, which is converted into salicylic acid on prolonged reaction. When dilute hydrochloric acid is employed with the same substrates iV-alkyl- and AT-arylsalicylamides are formed, but concentrated hydrochloric acid results in the formation of o-chlorobenzoic acid. - ... 

Sahcylsalicylic acid [532-94-3] (salsalate) is prepared by the action of phosphoms trichloride, phosphoms oxychloride, or thionyl chloride on salicylic acid at low temperatures in an appropriate solvent. The cmde product is recrystallized rapidly from ethyl alcohol to avoid hydrolysis and esterification. It is used as an analgesic and an antipyretic, as well as in the treatment of acute and chronic rheumatism and arthritis. It does not induce gastric disturbances because it is only slowly hydrolyzed in the intestine. Owing to the slowness of its hydrolysis (two molecules of salicylic acid per molecule of the ester), the action of sahcylsalicylic acid is less prompt but more persistent than that of other salicylates. Other salicylates of interest include ethylene glycol mono salicylate [87-28-5], dipropylene glycol monomethylether salicylate, bomyl salicylate [560-88-3], and -acetamidophenyl salicylate [118-57-0]. 

Sulfosalicylic acid is prepared by heating 10 parts of salicylic acid with 50 parts of concentrated sulfuric acid, by chlorosulfonation of salicylic acid and subsequent hydrolysis of the acid chloride, or by sulfonation with liquid sulfur trioxide in tetrachloroethylene. It is used as an intermediate in the production of dyestuffs, grease additives, catalysts, and surfactants. It is also useful as a colorimetric reagent for ferric iron and as a reagent for albumin. Table 9 shows the physical properties of salicylic acid derivatives. 

Other reported syntheses include the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, in which carbon tetrachloride is condensed with phenol in the presence of potassium hydroxide. A mixture of the ortho- and para-isomers is obtained the para-isomer predominates. -Hydroxybenzoic acid can be synthesized from phenol, carbon monoxide, and an alkali carbonate (52). It can also be obtained by heating alkali salts of -cresol at high temperatures (260—270°C) over metallic oxides, eg, lead dioxide, manganese dioxide, iron oxide, or copper oxide, or with mixed alkali and a copper catalyst (53). Heating potassium salicylate at 240°C for 1—1.5 h results in a 70—80% yield of -hydroxybenzoic acid (54). When the dipotassium salt of salicylic acid is heated in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, an almost complete conversion to -hydroxybenzoic acid results. They>-aminobenzoic acid can be converted to the diazo acid with nitrous acid followed by hydrolysis. Finally, the sulfo- and halogenobenzoic acids can be fused with alkali. 

Numerous methods for the synthesis of salicyl alcohol exist. These involve the reduction of salicylaldehyde or of salicylic acid and its derivatives. The alcohol can be prepared in almost theoretical yield by the reduction of salicylaldehyde with sodium amalgam, sodium borohydride, or lithium aluminum hydride by catalytic hydrogenation over platinum black or Raney nickel or by hydrogenation over platinum and ferrous chloride in alcohol. The electrolytic reduction of salicylaldehyde in sodium bicarbonate solution at a mercury cathode with carbon dioxide passed into the mixture also yields saligenin. It is formed by the electrolytic reduction at lead electrodes of salicylic acids in aqueous alcoholic solution or sodium salicylate in the presence of boric acid and sodium sulfate. Salicylamide in aqueous alcohol solution acidified with acetic acid is reduced to salicyl alcohol by sodium amalgam in 63% yield. Salicyl alcohol forms along with -hydroxybenzyl alcohol by the action of formaldehyde on phenol in the presence of sodium hydroxide or calcium oxide. High yields of salicyl alcohol from phenol and formaldehyde in the presence of a molar equivalent of ether additives have been reported (60). Phenyl metaborate prepared from phenol and boric acid yields salicyl alcohol after treatment with formaldehyde and hydrolysis (61). 

The term hydrolysis comes from the word hydro meaning water and lysis meaning breakdown. A hydrolysis reaction is one in which a a bond is cleaved by the addition of the elements of water to the fragments formed in the cleavage. A hydrolysis reaction is catalysed by acid, base or hydrolysing enzyme. For example, the analgesic drug aspirin (acetyl salicyhc acid) is easily hydrolysed in the presence of acid, moisture and heat to form salicylic acid. 

FIGURE 11 VTK profile obtained by HPLC peak area (PA) of salicylic acid (plain circles) during hydrolysis of aspirin at pH 7.00. M T(K) = 323.2 + 1.631 x 10 3f (dashed line). Solid line is relative theoretical curve. 

System suitability is part of method validation. Experience gained during method development will give insights to help determine the system suitability requirements of the final method. An example is the hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid to salicylic acid in acidic media. Separation of this degradation peak from the analyte could be one criterion for the system suitability of an acetylsalicylic acid assay. 

---