Simultaneous densitometric determination of indomethacin and its degradation products, 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indoleacetic acid, in pharmaceutical preparations

A densitometric method was developed for the identification and determination of indomethacin and its degradation products, 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indoleacetic acid, in pharmaceuticals. To separate these compounds, silica gel-coated thin-layer chromatography plates and the following mobile phase were used: 2-propanol-25% ammonia-water (8 + 1 + 1, v/v). UV densitometric measurements were made by comparing the absorption spectra and Rf values of appropriate standards with the pharmaceutical preparations examined. The conditions for separation were established and a low detection limit was obtained. Average recoveries were 100.69, 90.09, and 91.17% for indomethacin, 4-chlorobeznzoic acid, and 5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indoleacetic acid, respectively.