Abstract: | Abstract Sample preparation procedures and gas chromatography methodology are presented for the determination of tabun, sarin, soman, and VX in aqueous solutions. Extraction recoveries from chloroform were quantitative. Peak area ratios of organophosphorus compounds (OPs) to internal standard versus concentrations of OP were linear over the range of 10-1000 (μg/ml when determined by the flame ionization detector and 10-800 μg/ml when determined by the flame photometric detector. Imprecision occurring at low ng concentrations of VX was caused by its adsorption on the analytical column. Acceptable precision was regained by the addition of a weak base, such as atropine, to the sample extract prior to its injection onto the gas chromatograph (GC). |