Mercaptopurine (6-MP)

Mercaptopurine: purine analog antimetabolite (thiopurine).

Mercaptopurine testing at Vanguard Laboratory: identity, purity and quantity $250 per sample, with results in 3 to 5 business days.

Structure

2D structure of Mercaptopurine

Mercaptopurine: 2D structure drawn from the PubChem record (CID 667490).

Compound data

CAS number

50-44-2

Formula

C5H4N4S

Molecular weight

152.18 g/mol

Type

Purine analog antimetabolite (thiopurine)

Structure and names

Identity: Mercaptopurine (anhydrous)

IUPAC name: 3,7-dihydropurine-6-thione

How Vanguard tests Mercaptopurine

Method for the $250 identity, purity and quantity test: HPLC-UV purity and assay, LC-MS identity, against a reference standard, with results in 3 to 5 business days.

The USP monograph covers identity by infrared spectroscopy and HPLC retention time, assay by HPLC, organic impurities by HPLC, residue on ignition, a phosphorus limit by UV-visible spectrophotometry, and water content by titration. Full testing to the USP Mercaptopurine monograph is available and quoted.

What's reported

  • Purity, as percent of total peak area
  • Quantity, against the label claim
  • Identity, reported as match or no match against the reference standard
  • With monograph testing (quoted): the monograph’s tests against its limits

Tests and prices

$250

Chromatographic purity and mg per unit by the method matched to the compound, identity against a reference standard. 1 unit.

$200

Chromatographic purity on bulk powder. 50 mg.

Add-on tests

Add-on testPrice
Identity and impurities
FTIR identity$90
CHNS elemental analysis (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur)$125
Chiral purity (where a chiral method exists; new methods quoted)$250
Water, solvents and salt form
Water content by Karl Fischer$60
Residual solvents$150
Counterions: chloride, acetate and TFA$70
Assay
Assay, % w/w (with raw powder purity; $250 together)+$50
Metals and conformity
Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead$150
Conformity: purity and quantity on more units from the same lot$100 per extra unit
Microbiology (injectables)
Endotoxin$210
Sterility or bioburden$150
Container closure integrity (CCI)$50
Screening
Fentanyl screen$50

10% off for 10 or more samples.

Need something else? Other tests are available on request.

Sample amount and turnaround

Purity and quantity is $250 per sample (1 unit) and raw powder purity is $200 for 50 mg, with results in 3 to 5 business days. Send the material sealed and labeled, with the label claim and the form it contains.

Salts, forms and compendial references

  • Mercaptopurine (anhydrous CAS 50-44-2; monohydrate CAS 6112-76-1)
  • Tell us the salt or form the label states, so quantity is reported on the same basis.

Questions about Mercaptopurine testing

Is the $250 test the same as USP monograph testing?

No. The $250 test covers identity, purity and quantity by HPLC-UV for purity and quantity and LC-MS for identity. Full testing to the USP Mercaptopurine monograph is available and quoted.

Is mercaptopurine tested as the monohydrate?

Mercaptopurine is usually supplied as the monohydrate, and the USP assay is calculated on the anhydrous basis. Water content is needed to compare a result to label.

Can the test tell mercaptopurine from azathioprine or thioguanine?

Yes. Azathioprine is a nitroimidazole derivative of mercaptopurine and thioguanine carries an extra amino group, so all three differ in retention time and mass by LC-MS.

Does mercaptopurine oxidize?

Yes. The thiol group can oxidize to disulfides and to 6-thiouric acid type products, which appear as extra peaks in the purity profile.

Sources

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/667490

Identity facts from the USP monograph header for this compound.

Order

Start an order online, or send the compound name and the tests you need for a quote.