KR-31543,(2S,3R,4S)-6-amino-4-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)amino]-3,4-dihydro-2-dimethoxymethyl-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2H-1-benzopyran is a new neuroprotetive agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage. The in vitro and in vivo metabolism of KR-31543 in rats has been studied by LC-electrospray mass spectrometry. Rat liver microsomal incubation of KR-31543 in the presence of NADPH resulted in the formation of a metabolite M1. M1 was identified as N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)amine on the basis of LC-MS/MS analysis with the synthesized authentic standard. Rat CYP3A1 and 3A2 are the major CYP isozymes involved in the formation of M1.