Analysis of trace amount of bank dye and lachrymators from exploding bank devices by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a fast, solvent-free alternative to conventional sample preparation techniques. This technique involves exposing a fused silica fiber that has been coated with a stationary phase to an aqueous solution or its headspace to selectively extract compounds from their matrix. The fiber is then removed, and the analytes are thermally desorbed in the injector of a gas chromatograph. By sampling from the headspace above sample matrices, SPME can be used to extract target analytes from very complex matrices. In this study, SPME in the headspace is used in developing a method for the dye 1-methylaminoanthraquinone (MAAQ) and two lachrymators: orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) (tear gas) and 2-chloroacetophenone (CN) (tear gas). The focus is to develop a robust method to minimize sample preparation and to reduce matrix interferences encountered by other extraction techniques. In developing the method, several fibers are studied for their affinity for the compounds of interest. Although this method is developed for qualitative analysis, the extraction time and temperature profile are thoroughly investigated to provide the optimal conditions. The use of a salt solution is evaluated to increase the partitioning of MAAQ into the headspace. Using this method, qualitative extraction is achieved for the analysis of CN, CS, and MAAQ from its matrices. CN and CS are extracted in less than 5 min, though MAAQ needed more than 15 min to achieve a reasonable response. If more sensitivity is required, the use of a salt solution increases the response of MAAQ by 90-fold.