Headspace single-drop microextration for the detection of organotin compounds

The performance of single-drop microextraction (SDME), coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, was assessed for the determination of tributyltin compounds in water and solid samples. Experimental parameters impacting the performance of SDME, such as microextraction solvent and sampling and stirring time, were investigated. Analytical results obtained by SDME were compared with those generated by conventional solid phase microextraction (SPME) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) for the determination of TBT in PACS-2 sediment certified reference material (CRM).     

On-line determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with thermionic-selective detection

This paper describes the extraction of 49 organophosphorus pesti-cides (OPPs) from water samples using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Three fibers, including a 15-μm XAD-coated fiber, a 85-μm polyacrylate-coated fiber, and a 30-μm polydimethylsilox-ane-coated fiber (PDMS), were evaluated here. The effects of stirring and the addition of NaCl to the sample were examined for the polyacrylate-coated fiber. The precision of the technique was examined for all three fibers and the extraction kinetics were investigated using the XAD- and polyacrylate-coated fibers. With some exceptions, the XAD- and polyacrylate-coated fibers performed better than the PDMS-coated fiber. The superiority of the XAD-nd polyacrylate-coated fiber. The superiority of the XAD- and polyacrylate-coated fibers over the PDMS-coated fibers can be attribuibuted to the aromatic functionalities of the XAD and the polar functionalities in the polyacrylate. The relatively high percent RSDs indicate that the SPME technique needs to be further refined before it can be used for anything other than screening. A more effective form of agitation than mechanical stirring may be neccessary to reduce variability and achieve a faster equilibrium between the sample and the SPME fiber.     

Determination of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Soil by MMSPD-GC-NPD and Confirmation by GC-MS

A novel method, modified matrix solid-phase dispersion (MMSPD), has been developed for quantitative analysis of organophosphorus pesticide residues in soil. It was based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and continuous liquid-solid extraction (continuous LSE), using Florisil as sorbent and dichloromethane as the recycling solvent. Two soils with different texture and physicochemical properties were studied to validate the method. The effect of residence time of pesticides in soil was also studied. MMSPD was compared with MSPD and continuous LSE respectively. Determination was carried out by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC-NPD). The method gave recoveries ranging from 72–105% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 15% for the pesticides studied. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 ng g⁻¹. Two pesticide residues have been detected in real soil samples from Fujian, China, using MMSPD. The pesticides were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in a selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Revised: 4 and 9 April 2006     

Stationary phase properties of the organic molten salt ethylpyridinium bromide in gas chromatography

Summary The organic molten salt, 1-ethylpyridinium bromide, is suitable for use as a stationary phase in gas chromatography. It has a usable liquid temperature range of 110 to 160°C. It undergoes a single phase transition at 110°C which corresponds to the bulk melting point. Below the melting point the phase may be used as a selective adsorbent, although column efficiency and peak symmetry deteriorate as the temperature is lowered from the melting point. Above the melting point, ethylpyridinium bromide can be used to separate a wide variety of organic compounds retaining strongly those compounds possessing large dipole or hydrogen bonding functional groups.     

Optimum gas chromatographic conditions in wall-coated capillary columns. Extended and simplified forms of the Golay-equation

Band broadening in capillary columns is satisfactorily described by the Golay-equation extended to situations of appreciable pressure drop by Giddings. In practice, however, several simplifications are often made. The effect of these simplifications on the calculated values of the minimum plate height and optimum carrier gas velocity are treated systematically.     

Solid-phase microextraction–capillary gas chromatography combined with microwave-induced plasma atomic-emission spectrometry for selenite determination

The use of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with gas chromatography coupled to microwave-induced plasma atomic-emission detection (GC–MIP-AED) is described for selenite [Se(IV)] speciation. Aqueous standards were derivatised with sodium tetraethyl- or tetrapropylborate and extracted by SPME. Headspace extraction of the ethyl and propyl derivatives was studied. Relevant experimental conditions were optimised, including conditions for derivatisation and extraction and those of gas chromatographic analysis. The limits of detection achieved for headspace sampling of derivatised Se(IV) were in the low ng mL^–1 range for both ethylation and propylation. When the method was applied to analysis of selenite in selenised yeast reference material results were in good agreement with the indicated values.     

Some comments on the use of nitrogen selective detectors

Summary Several detectors which have a selective response toward nitrogen containing compounds are discussed. Data on sensitivities, detection limits and reproducibility of response are given. The application of chemiluminescence to provide a nitrogen selective GC detector is proposed.     

Analysis of dinitrofluoranthenes by high resolution capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

This paper reports the retention indices of eighteen of the possible twenty-five dinitrofluoranthene isomers.