Separation and identification of isomeric acidic degradation products of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents by capillary electrophoresis-ion trap mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) was evaluated for the separation and identification of chemical warfare agent degradation products (alkylphosphonic acids and alkyl alkylphosphonic acids). Different analytical parameters were optimized in negative ionization mode such as electrolyte composition (15 mM CH(3)COONH(4), pH 8.8), sheath liquid composition (MeOH/H(2)O/NH(3), 75:25:2, v/v/v), nebulization and ion trapping conditions. A standard mixture of five alkylphosphonic (di)acids and five alkyl alkylphosphonic (mono)acids containing isomeric compounds was used in order to evaluate CE selectivity and MS identification capability. The obtained electropherograms revealed that CE selectivity was very limited in the case of alkyl alkylphosphonic acid positional isomers, whereas isomeric isopropylphosphonic and propylphosphonic acids were baseline-separated. CE-MS-MS experiments provided an unambiguous identification of each isomeric co-migrating alkyl alkylphosphonic acids thanks to the presence of specific fragment ions. On the other hand, CE separation was mandatory for the identification of isomeric alkylphosphonic acids, which led to the same fragment ion and could not be differentiated by MS-MS. The developed method was applied to the analysis of soil extracts spiked with the analytes (before or after extraction treatment) and appeared to be very promising since resolution and sensitivity were similar to those observed in deionized water. Especially, analytes were detected and identified in soil extract spiked at 5 microg mL(-1) with each compound before extraction treatment.     

High extraction efficiency fiber coated with calix[4] open-chain crown ether for solid-phase microextraction of polar aromatic and aliphatic compounds

The calix[4] open-chain crown ether, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-di(2-allyloxyethoxyl)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene was synthesized and used for preparation of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers of enhanced extraction efficiency. The new SPME coating made from calix[4] open-chain crown ether and hydroxyl-terminated silicone oil was developed with the aid of vinyltriethoxylsilane as bridge using sol-gel method and cross-linking technology. The efficiency of the novel fiber in the extraction of polar aromatic and aliphatic compounds, such as phenols, alcohols, and volatile fatty acids, was also investigated. Due to the introduction of the polar open-chain crown ether in calix[4]arene molecules, the calix[4] open-chain crown ether fiber showed much better selectivity and sensitivity to these polar compounds in comparison with calix[4]arene fiber. It also had superior extraction efficiency when compared to commercial poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene and polyacrylate fibers. Parts per billion to parts per trillion level detection limits were achieved for most of the analytes through SPME in conjunction with GC and flame ionization detector. The linear ranges were two to four orders of magnitude, and the RSD values were below 7% for all analytes. The novel fiber was applied to determine volatile alcohols and fatty acids in wine samples. The volatile-free wine prepared in this work was used to assure similar chemical environment for analytes in both calibration solutions and in real wine samples, thus compensating for possible matrix interferences. The established internal standard method using 4-methyl-2-pentanol as internal standard showed satisfactory accuracy and precision.     

Selective extraction of organophosphorus nerve agent degradation products by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction

The analysis of alkyl alkylphosphonic acids, the degradation products of V and G nerve agents as VX, Sarin or Soman, is an important task for the verification of compliance to the Chemical Weapons Convention. The detection of these contaminants at low concentration levels is often difficult in complex matrices due to the amount of interfering substances. Molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction technique should allow a selective extraction of these compounds from complex samples, and thus make their detection easier. Two molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) prepared with methacrylic acid (MAA) as monomer and pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (PMPA) as template molecule were synthesised and tested. The first polymer, MIP A, was prepared with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in dichloromethane. The second polymer, MIP B, was synthesised using trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) in acetonitrile. To evaluate the selectivity provided by these MIPs, the retention of the ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA) target molecule was studied in parallel on a non-imprinted polymer (NIP). While MIP A does not show any difference compared to NIP A, a good selectivity was obtained for MIP B. After the optimisation of the extraction process, 60% of EMPA can be removed from the NIP B without affecting the retention on the MIP B. A recovery of extraction of 93% was then obtained on the MIP B. Its capacity was then measured and corresponds to 97 microg of EMPA per gram of MIP. Finally, the selectivity of MIP B was clearly demonstrated by applying it to the clean-up of a soil extract spiked with EMPA.     

Polyelectrolyte functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes as strong anion-exchange material for the extraction of acidic degradation products of nerve agents

Extraction, enrichment and gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis of degradation products of nerve agents from water is of significant importance for verification of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and gathering forensic evidence of use of nerve agents. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were non-covalently functionalized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) to afford the cationic functionalized nano-tubes, which were used as solid-phase anionic-exchanger sorbents to extract the acidic degradation products of nerve agents from water. Extraction efficiencies of MWCNTs-PDDA were compared with those of mixed mode anion-exchange (HLB) and silica based strong anion-exchange (Si-SAX) cartridges. Optimized extraction parameters included MWCNTs-PDDA 12 mg, washing solvent 5 mL water and eluting solvent 3 mL of 0.1M aqueous HCl followed by 3 mL methanol. At 1 ng mL(-1) spiking concentration of mono- and di-basic phosphonic acids, MWCNTs-PDDA exhibited higher extraction efficiencies in comparison to Si-SAX and HLB. The limits of detection were achieved down to 0.05 and 0.11 ng mL(-1) in selected ion and full scan monitoring mode respectively; and limits of quantification in selected ion monitoring mode were achieved down to 0.21 ng mL(-1).     

A simple and rapid method for simultaneous determination of benzoic and sorbic acids in food using in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, rapid and sensitive on-line method for the simultaneous determination of benzoic and sorbic acids in food was developed by coupling in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The diethylamine-modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic capillary selected as the extraction medium exhibited a high extraction capability towards benzoic and sorbic acids. To obtain optimum extraction performance, several in-tube SPME parameters were investigated, including pH value, inorganic salt, and the organic solvent content of the sample matrix. After simple dilution with 0.02 mol/L phosphate solution (pH 4.0), carbonated drink, juice drink, sauce and jam samples could be directly injected for extraction. For succade samples, a small amount of acetonitrile was required to extract analytes prior to dilution and subsequent extraction. The linearity of the method was investigated over a concentration range of 5–20000 ng/mL for both analytes, and the correlation coefficients (R ² values) were higher than 0.999. The detection limits for benzoic and sorbic acids were 1.2 and 0.9 ng/mL, respectively. The method reproducibility was tested by evaluating the intra- and interday precisions; relative standard deviations of less than 4.4 and 9.9%, respectively, were obtained. Recoveries of compounds from spiked food samples ranged from 84.4 to 106%. The developed method was shown to be suitable for the routine monitoring of benzoic and sorbic acids in various types of food samples.     

Analysis of methylphosphonic acid, ethyl methylphosphonic acid and isopropyl methylphosphonic acid at low microgram per liter levels in groundwater

A method is described for determining methylphosphonic acid, ethyl methylphosphonic acid and isopropyl methylphosphonic acid, which are hydrolysis products of the nerve agents VX (S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothiolate) and GB (sarin, isopropylmethyl phosphonofluoridate). The analytes are extracted from 50 ml groundwater using a solid-phase extraction column packed with 500 mg of silica with a bonded quaternary amine phase, and are eluted and derivatized with methanolic trimethylphenylammonium hydroxide. Separation and quantitation are achieved using a capillary column gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detector operated in its phosphorus-selective mode. Two independent statistically-unbiased procedures were employed to determine the detection limits, which ranged between 3 and 9 μg/l, for the three analytes.     

Water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymers for efficient direct injection on-line solid-phase extraction of ropivacaine and bupivacaine from human plasma

Two novel molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) selected from a combinatorial library of bupivacaine imprinted polymers were used for selective on-line solid-phase extraction of bupivacaine and ropivacaine from human plasma. The MIPs were prepared using methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking monomer and in addition hydroxyethylmethacrylate to render the polymer surface hydrophilic. The novel MIPs showed high selectivity for the analytes and required fewer and lower concentrations of additives to suppress non-specific adsorption compared with a conventional MIP. This enabled the development of an on-line system for direct extraction of buffered plasma. Selective extraction was achieved without the use of time-consuming solvent switch steps, and transfer of the analytes from the MIP column to the analytical column was carried out under aqueous conditions fully compatible with reversed-phase LC gradient separation of analyte and internal standard. The MIPs showed excellent aqueous compatibility and yielded extractions with acceptable recovery and high selectivity.     

Analysis of dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A reversed-phase LC–MS method with quadrupole-time of flight (QTOF) detection has been developed for the determination of four dinitro-toluenesulfonic acids and two amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids in groundwater. The analytes were separated by HPLC with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phase modifier compatible with mass spectrometric detection. QTOF-MS analysis with negative ion electrospray ionization afforded good selectivity and sensitivity for analysis of the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Structure elucidation and confirmation were accomplished by tandem mass spectrometry. Characteristic ions resulting from the loss of NO, NO₂, and SO₂ from the [M–H]^– ions were detected. An intense fragment ion at m/z 80 representing the [SO₃]^– ion was detected for all dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids. Solid-phase extraction using a co-polymer cartridge was developed for preconcentration of the analytes from water. Good recovery (>85%) was achieved when 0.1% formic acid was added into the water samples before extraction. Method detection limits ranged from 10 to 76 ng L^–1 for the targeted compounds when 10 mL water was analyzed. Groundwater samples collected from wells close to a former ammunition plant in Stadtallendorf, Germany, were analyzed for the dinitro- and amino-nitro-toluenesulfonic acids.     

Development of an analytical system for the simultaneous determination of anabolic macrocyclic lactones in aquatic environmental samples

An analytical procedure that enables routine analysis for trace determination of six anabolic macrocyclic lactones (zearalenone, alpha- and beta-zearalenol, zearalanone, zeranol, and taleranol) in sewage treatment plant (STP) samples has been developed. The method uses solid-phase extraction, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line tandem mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC/APCI-MS/MS). The extraction of these compounds from filtered water samples was performed off-line with C(18) solid-phase cartridges. The detection was achieved by isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an heated nebulizer (HN) APCI interface operating in negative ion mode. Mean recovery of the analytes in STP effluent samples generally exceeded 81%. This method was used to determine the occurrence of target analytes in the aquatic environment. In the selected STP effluent samples, zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol were detected in the ng/L range.     

Preparation and evaluation of hydroxylated poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic capillary for in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography

A hydroxylated poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) (GMA-co-EDMA) monolithic capillary was prepared and investigated for in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The polymer monolith was synthesized by in-situ polymerization of GMA and EDMA in the presence of dodecanol and toluene as the mixed porogenic solvents. After polymerization, glycidyl groups were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid to produce diol groups at the surface of the porous monolith. To investigate the extraction mechanism, several groups of model analytes (including neutral, acidic and basic) were selected to perform extractions. The resulting monolith showed high extraction selectivity towards polar compounds, which resulted from the enhancement of dipole-dipole and hydrogen bonding interactions relative to hydrophobic interactions. The equilibrium extraction time profiles were also monitored for those model compounds to assess the extraction capacity of the monolithic capillary. Moreover, the hydroxylated poly(GMA-co-EDMA) monolithic capillary exhibited satisfactory reproducibility and stability. Finally, the in-tube SPME-HPLC method, based on the developed monolithic capillary as the extraction media, was successfully applied to the determination of five polar organic contaminants in lake water.     

Comparison of simultaneous distillation extraction and solid-phase microextraction for the determination of volatile flavor components

Traditional simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques were compared for their effectiveness in the extraction of volatile flavor compounds from various mustard paste samples. Each method was used to evaluate the responses of some analytes from real samples and calibration standards in order to provide sensitivity comparisons between the two techniques. Experimental results showed traditional SDE lacked the sensitivity needed to evaluate certain flavor volatiles, such as 1,2-propanediol. Dramatic improvements in the extraction ability of the SPME fibers over the traditional SDE method were noted. Different SPME fibers were investigated to determine the selectivity of the various fibers to the different flavor compounds present in the mustard paste samples. Parameters that might affect the SPME, such as the duration of absorption and desorption, temperature of extraction, and the polarity and structure of the fiber were investigated. Of the various fibers investigated, the PDMS–DVB fiber proved to be the most desirable for these analytes.     

Determination of carboxylic acids in water by gas chromatography using several detectors after flow preconcentration

A novel analytical method is reported that combines continuous solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography for the determination of 22 carboxylic acids in water. The highly polar and hydrophilic analytes were preferentially sorbed on a mixture of LiChrolut EN-Supelclean ENVI-18 (1:1) sorbent column and eluted with methanol; this extraction process did not require derivatisation. The extract was analysed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionisation detector as well as a mass spectrometer with electron impact (EI) or positive chemical ionisation modes. The highest sensitivity was achieved when using MS-EI, with good linearity in calibration curves and low detection limits (2-40ngL(-1)) for 50mL of sample. The entire procedure from raw aqueous sample to a ready-to-inject methanol solution of the acids requires less than 15min. Another benefit of this method is the good accuracy (recoveries between 93 and 102%) and precision (relative standard deviation, 3.4-6.2%), which allows the determination of carboxylic acids in environmental water and in real chlorinated and ozonated drinking water.     

Evaluation of microextraction by packed sorbent,liquid–liquid microextraction and derivatization pretreatment of diet‐derived phenolic acids in plasma by gas chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Miniaturized sample pretreatments for the analysis of phenolic metabolites in plasma, involving protein precipitation, enzymatic deconjugation, extraction procedures, and different derivatization reactions were systematically evaluated. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the evaluation of 40 diet‐derived phenolic compounds. Enzyme purification was necessary for the phenolic deconjugation before extraction. Trimethylsilanization reagent and two different tetrabutylammonium salts for derivatization reactions were compared. The optimum reaction conditions were 50 μL of trimethylsilanization reagent at 90°C for 30 min, while tetrabutylammonium salts were associated with loss of sensitivity due to rapid activation of the inert gas chromatograph liner. Phenolic acids extractions from plasma were optimized. Optimal microextraction by packed sorbent performance was achieved using an octadecylsilyl packed bed and better recoveries for less polar compounds, such as methoxylated derivatives, were observed. Despite the low recovery for many analytes, repeatability using an automated extraction procedure in the gas chromatograph inlet was 2.5%. Instead, using liquid–liquid microextraction, better recoveries (80–110%) for all analytes were observed at the expense of repeatability (3.8–18.4%). The phenolic compounds in gerbil plasma samples, collected before and 4 h after the administration of a calafate extract, were analyzed with the optimized methodology.     

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as efficient adsorbent for solid-phase extraction of chemical warfare agents and related chemicals from water

Optimization of extraction and enrichment parameters of chemical warfare agents and their related chemicals from water are presented using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as solid-phase extractant. Selected analytes were O,O'-dialkyl alkylphosphonates, nerve agent and mustards. Extraction parameters, including sample volume, nature and volume of washing and eluting solvent, were optimized. Recoveries of analytes were determined by GC-MS and ranged from 81 to 104%. A comparison with C(18), hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and active carbon sorbents demonstrated the superiority of MWCNTs for non-toxic analogues of nerve agents. Optimized conditions involve 40?mg MWCNTs as the sorbent, 5.0?mL water as the washing solvent, 3?mL ethyl acetate as the eluent and sample loading of 10?mL water spiked at 0.1?μg/mL. The limits of detection (LOD) were achieved down to 1 and 0.05?ng/mL in full scan and selected ion-monitoring modes, respectively.     

Matrix solid-phase dispersion for the liquid chromatographic determination of phenolic acids in Melissa officinalis

Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) was used for sample preparation of plant material (Melissa officinalis, Lemon Balm) prior to liquid chromatography of rosmarinic, caffeic and protocatechuic acids, phenolic compounds present in this herb. Different MSPD sorbents and various elution agents were tested and the optimal extraction conditions determined with the aim to obtain extraction recoveries greater than 90% for all analytes.     

Highly selective and non-conventional sorbents for the determination of biomarkers in urine by liquid chromatography

Urine is one of the most extensively analysed biological fluids in clinical and toxicological investigations owing to its high availability and non-invasive collection. The chemical nature of the analytes involved (polarity and thermal instability) makes liquid chromatography the separation technique of choice for compound determination. Moreover, sample treatment based on solid-phase extraction is usually carried out owing to its flexibility and the availability of new sorbent materials with increased selectivity and versatility towards the target compounds. Taking into account these three fundamental points, this review focuses on recent developments in urine pretreatment using highly selective and non-conventional sorbents in solid-phase extraction such as affinity sorbents (immunosorbents and molecularly imprinted polymers), restricted access materials and carbon nanotubes, with emphasis on the new synthesis methods. Their main advantages and shortcomings are presented, together with representative examples in this context.     

Au nanoparticles as a novel coating for solid-phase microextraction

A novel solid-phase microextraction fiber based on a stainless steel wire coated with Au nanoparticles was prepared and has been applied, coupled with gas chromatography, to the extraction of aromatic hydrophobic organic chemical pollutants in rainwater and soil extract. The solid-phase microextraction fiber exhibited excellent extraction efficiency and selectivity. Effects of extraction time, extraction temperature, ionic strength, stirring rate and desorption conditions were investigated and optimized. Single fiber repeatability and fiber-to-fiber reproducibility were less than 7.90% and 26.40%, respectively. The calibration curves were linear in a wide range for all analytes. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9941 to 0.9993. The as-established SPME-GC method was used successfully to two real natural samples. Recovery of analytes spiked at 10 μg L(-1) and 100 μg L(-1) ranged from 78.4% to 119.9% and the relative standard deviations were less than 11.3%.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of alkylphosphonic acids from aqueous samples by ion-pair solid-phase extraction on activated charcoal and methylation

In the present paper, we report an improved ion-pair solid-phase extraction (IP-SPE) method for the analysis of alkylphosphonic acids, namely, methyl, ethyl and propylphosphonic acids, present in the aqueous sample. The aqueous sample was mixed with an ion-pair reagent, phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (PTMAH) and passed through activated charcoal SPE cartridge. The retained chemicals in the cartridge were extracted with methanol and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) under the electron impact ionization (EI) mode. The analytes were converted to their methyl esters by pyrolytic methylation in the hot GC injection port. The recoveries of alkylphosphonic acids were above 95% and the minimum detection limits were as low as 10 ng/mL. The recovery of the test chemicals was tested with solvents, dichloromethane, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, acetonitrile and methanol. The chemicals could be efficiently extracted by the hydrophilic solvents. The method did not work at the highly acidic pH (when acidified with dilute HCl) but worked well from pH 4.0 to 14.0. The present method was also tested with other tetra-(methyl, ethyl, propyl and n-butyl)ammonium hydroxides. The test chemicals were not converted to their methyl and ethyl esters with tetramethyl and tetraethylammonium hydroxides, whereas they were converted to their corresponding propyl and n-butyl esters with tetrapropyl and tetra(n-butyl)ammonium hydroxides. The method was also applied to two highly cross-linked polymeric sorbents DSC-6S and Oasis HLB. The recovery of the chemicals on these sorbents was observed to be poor. Methylation using phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide is non-hazardous and advantageous over methylation using diazomethane. The method was applied to the analysis of aqueous samples given in one of the official proficiency tests conducted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and all the spiked chemicals were identified as methyl esters.     

Application of Doehlert design in optimizing the determination of degraded products of nerve agents by ion-pair liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A qualitative method was developed for the determination of degraded products of nerve agents by using ion-pair liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (IP-LC-ESI-MS(n)). Generally, alkylphosphonic acids (APAs) and O-alkyl alkylphosphonic acids (AAPAs) give deprotonated molecular ion [M-H](-) in negative mode. Interestingly, first time we obtained the molecular radical anion [M](.-) of phosphonic acids in negative mode by using tri-n-butyl amine as an ion-pairing agent. We interpreted this observation as an indication of electrochemical reduction of phosphonic acids in electrospray needle. Three variables such as sheath gas flow, electrospray needle voltage and pH of the mobile phase were investigated to enhance the molecular radical anion [M](.-) signal of each analyte. The Doehlert design was used to obtain the region in which the optimum value of such variables is simultaneously achieved. Limit of detection achieved was 0.5 microg mL(-1) for AAPAs and 10 microg mL(-1) for APAs. Excellent precision was observed with less than 8.61% RSD. Finally, the method was applied for the detection of ethyl methylphosphonic in aqueous extract of soil sample.     

Analysis of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides and their phenolic conversion products in soil by microwave assisted solvent extraction and subsequent analysis of extracts by on-line solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography

A multiresidue method for the determination of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides and their phenolic conversion products in soil was developed. The method was based on microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) of soil samples by an aqueous methanolic mixture and subsequent analysis of extracts by automated solid-phase extraction followed by on-line high-performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection. MASE parameters (extraction temperature and time, composition of the extraction mixture and extraction volume) were optimized with respect to analyte recoveries. The method was validated with two types of soils containing 1.5 and 3.5% organic matter, respectively, both types containing fresh and aged residues of sought analytes. Under the selected analytical conditions when soils with fresh residues were analyzed all target analytes were recovered above 80% from the soil containing 1.5% organic matter, while limits of identification at the level of 20-40 ng/g were achieved. From the soil containing 3.5% organic matter the least polar phenolic analytes exhibited slightly reduced recoveries, while identification limits of 30-50 ng/g were achieved. Samples with aged residues exhibited reduced recoveries for some analytes, the reduction amounting up to 6-12% within 1 month of aging period depending on soil organic matter.