Valproate derivatives and their conjugates to antigenic materials, antibodies thereto and method for the determination of valproate in physiological fluids.

摘要

Alpha-substituted derivatives of valproic acid of the formula <CHEM> wherein: R is an aliphatic group of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; when n and m are each 1, W and W<1> may be taken together with Z to form a cyclic anhydride otherwise, when W and W<1> are not taken together, W<1> is hydroxyl; when m is 0, W is a methylene bonded to Z through amino nitrogen, and Z is a poly(amino acid); when m is 1, W is a bond to Z, and Z is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an activating oxy group to form an activated ester or poly(amino acid) wherein W is bonded to said poly(amino acid) to amino groups to form amide linkages; and n is 1 when Z is other than a poly(amino acid) and is otherwise in the range of one to the molecular weight of Z divided by 500. They are useful for conjugation to antigenic compositions, particularly poly(amino acids), and enzymes. The antigenic conjugates are employed for the production of antibodies, which find particular use in immunoassays for the determination of valproate, while the enzyme conjugate finds use in a homogeneous enzyme immunoassay for the determination of valproate.