Determination of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Including Acetylcholine, Tetraethylammonium, and Hexamethonium.

Abstract

Summary A general method is presented for the determination in buffer solutions, nerve homogenates, dilute serum, plasma, and urine of quaternary ammonium compounds in which at least one chain is 4 carbons or longer or C₆H₅CH₂—, or modifications thereof. The lower limit of sensitivity, using this procedure, is about 2-3 μg per sample. Adaptations of this method allow for the estimation of these compounds in undiluted serum or plasma. Acetylcholine, hexamethonium, tetraethylam-monium, neostigmine and d-tubocurarine can be determined in certain media, in concentrations as low as 1-2.5 μg per sample, by means of modifications of the general procedure.