Improved Separation of the Denopamine Metabolites Using Capillary Column Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Eight urinary metabolites of the positive inotropic agent denopamine, (-)-(R)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[(3, 4-dimethoxyphenethyl) amino] ethanol, in man were separated and identified by capillary column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The metabolites were products of oxidative 3'-or 4'-O-demethylation and/or meta-hydroxylation followed by meta-or para-catechol O-methyltransferase-methylation. Separation of the four isomers of 1-(hydroxymethoxyphenyl)-2-[(hydroxymethoxyphenethyl) amino] ethanol was made possible by the use of a capillary column.