Development and validation of a specific and sensitive GC-FID method for the determination of impurities in 5-chlorovaleroyl chloride

5-Chlorovaleroyl chloride (5-CVC) is commonly used as an alkylating agent in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, active ingredients, as well as other specialty chemicals. It is critical to monitor the impurities present in 5-CVC as they may have a direct impact on the impurity profile and quality of the final product. This paper describes the development and validation of a GC-FID method for the analysis of low level impurities of 5-CVC. This is the first method reported in the literature for the impurity determination of 5-CVC. The results of GC method development, with and without sample derivatization, are presented. The final method uses methanol for derivatization and separates methyl esters of 5-CVC and the key impurities, 4-pentenoyl chloride, 4-chlorovaleroyl chloride, 5-chlorohexanoyl chloride, and 4-methyl-5-chlorovaleroyl chloride. 3-Methoxypyridine was used in the sample solvent to enable the detection of 5-chlorovaleric acid (5-CVA) which is the major degradant of 5-CVC. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and robustness. This simple and robust GC approach may be applicable to impurity analysis of other acid chlorides or acid halides.