Characterization of atenolol transformation products in ozonation by using rapid resolution high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Abstract

This experiment investigated the transformation pathway of atenolol, a widely used β-blocker, in the ozonation process through the identification of generated intermediate compounds. In order to characterize the contribution of ozone and hydroxyl radical (•OH) in the transformation of atenolol, ozonation were performed at pH 2, 7 and 9. 15 major transformation products have been identified based on the chromatographic behavior of these compounds and the information obtained from accurate mass MS and MS/MS spectra. By comparing to the elution pattern of the identified transformation products and its fragmentation pattern in the MS/MS spectrum, a variety of isomers of the transformation products were characterized.Identified transformation products of atenolol are including its mono-, di and tri-hydroxylated derivatives as well as the aliphatic and aromatic ring breakdown products. Transformation of atenolol in the ozonation involved hydroxylation reaction, aromatic ring opening reaction, oxidation and cleavage of 2-hydroxy-3-(isopropylamino)propoxy group of atenolol. In ozonation, aromatic ring of atenolol was transformed through the reaction with both ozone and •OH whereas the aliphatic chain of atenolol was degraded mainly through the reaction with •OH. The results also indicated that both •OH and ozone involved in the aromatic ring opening reaction. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.