Fluorimetric determination of cyclofenil using photochemical derivatization

In this work, a fluorimetric approach for the determination of cyclofenil, 4-4′-(cyclohexylidenemethylene)bis(phenylacetate), is presented. The method was based on the intense fluorescence (250/410 nm) observed after a UV photochemical treatment of cyclofenil. The influence of the pH and solvent system and UV exposure time on the fluorescence magnitude was studied. Optimization of parameters was made using experimental design (factorial design and central composite design). Limit of detection (3Sb/m) were estimated to be 1.1 × 10−8 mol L−1 with the linear dynamic range extending up to 8 × 10−5 mol L−1. This analytical approach was tested through the analysis of a commercial pharmaceutical formulation. In this case, tests enabled an average recovery of 98.3 ± 3.9% (for n = 9) using the analytical curve. The identification of the fluorescent derivative is proposed based on results achieved from GC-MS.