Kovats and lee retention indices determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for organic compounds of environmental interest

Retention indices of standard organic compounds of environmental interest were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, using a DB-5 fused-silica capillary column. Retention indices are useful references for tentative compound identification by gas chromatography, or confirmation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. They provide elution order for isomers that might be indistinguishable based on mass spectra. Modified Kovats and Lee retention indices are given for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; sulfur heterocycles; nitrogen heterocycles; aromatic amines; oxygen heterocycles; phenols; alcohols; ketones; alkanes; nitriles; and methylesters of fatty, dicarboxylic, and aromatic acids for comparison and reference. Retention index values for heterocycles by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry are comparable with gas chromatography values previously reported.     

Dicholorbenzyl alkyl ether homologs as retention index markers and internal standards for the analysis of environmental samples using capillary gas chromatography

A homologous series of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alkyl ethers (DCBEs) have been synthesized and purified for use as retention index calibrants and internal standards. They are stable, sensitive to ECD and FID and ideal for GC-MS, with base peaks at m/z 159/161. The retention index calibration against the n-alkanes for a linear temperature program (LTP) series is given and recommendations made for the most suitable members of the DCBE series for use as internal standards in organochlorine (OC) residue analysis.     

High resolution chemically bonded fused-silica capillary gas chromatography of organochlorine insecticides and related compounds in arable soil samples

Electron capture gas chromatography with three chemically bonded fused-silica capillary columns (CB-FSCs), OV-17, OV-1701, and SE-52, was performed to evaluate peak separability of 28 organochlorine insecticides and related compounds. Relative retention times and relative peak heights to aldrin were measured and calculated. OV-17 CB-FSC showed the best separability among the three CB-FSCs employed and was applied to analysis of extracts from several soil samples with minimum clean-up procedure. The chromatograms obtained demonstrated steady baseline tracings free of interference. Residue data from soil samples were also tabulated.     

A new bonded stationary phase for the gas chromatographic separation of volatile priority pollutants and chlorinated pesticides

A new phenyl-cyanopropyl polymethylsiloxane stationary phase, DB-1301, which can be crosslinked and bonded to the fused silica surface, has been synthesized. The phase composition was optimized for the separation of 18 volatile priority pollutants, selected from the so-called “purgables” list because of problems associated with their resolution. The composition of the stationary phase was based on theoretical considerations of binary phase mixtures and window diagram prediction. Columns coated with this stationary phase are compatible with atom selective detectors, such as the electron capture detector. A mixture of 18 volatile priority pollutants and a mixture of chlorinated pesticides were used as test probes on a prototype 30 m × 0.32 mm fused silica column, containing a 1.0 μm film of DB-1301.     

Extrapolation and interpolation of gas chromatographic retention times

Summary An empirical method of extrapolating and interpolating gas chromatographic retention times obtained at three equally spaced isothermal temperatures is described. The accuracy of the method was evaluated from retention time data obtained using packed glass columns. A procedure for constructing retention time tables for homologous series and the derivation of an equation for calculating retention times as a function of temperature is also presented.     

Analysis of toxic anthraquinones and related compounds with a fused silica capillary column

In this study, application of a fused silica capillary column for analysis of toxic anthraquinones and related compounds found in plants was investigated.     

Quick gas chromatographic method for determining common pesticides in musts and wines

Summary A rapid method based on gas chromatography which determines parathion-methyl, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, dichlofluanid, vinclozolin, chlozolinate, procymidone and iprodione is described. It involves quantitative extraction with n-hexane and determination by capillary gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. Pesticides were satisfactorily separated in 15 min with a phenylmethylsilicone fused-silica capillary column under isothermal conditions. Quantitation was carried out using dieldrin as internal standard. The method seems appropriate for oenological laboratory work because of its simplicity and rapidity. It was successfully used to identify and quantify pesticides studied in musts and wines.     

Fused silica capillary micro-packed columns in gas chromatography

Summary Flexibility, strength and adsorption inertness of fused-silica capillaries permits their extensive application for the preparation of micro-packed columns in gas chromatography. Decreasing the column diameter (from 0.5 to 0.15 mm) and the diameter of the sorbent particles (from 100 to 5 μm) results in a marked reduction of the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), as well as in diminishing the dependence of the HETP on the carrier gas flow rate. The chromatographic characteristics of fused-silica capillary micro-packed columns and open-tubular columns are compared. The fused-silica capillary micro-packed column can be used to advantage for performing rapid and trace analyses and have been shown to be adapted for application in gas-solid chromatography. Separation of organic and inorganic compounds on fused-silica capillary micro-packed columns is illustrated by practical examples. Presented at the 15th International Symposium on Chromatography, Nürnberg, October 1984     

Capillary gas chromatography of esters correlations between structure and retention index

Summary The retention index of twenty different homologous series of esters have been determined experimentally on polar (Carbowax 1540) and non-polar (squalane) columns. General equations to calculate retention index have been established by statistical methods. The influence of the length and inductive effect of acid and alcohol chains and the relative position of the carboxylic group are discussed.     

An homologous series of benzodiazepine retention index standards for gas chromatography

An homologous series of benzodiazepine retention index standards (the R-series) has been synthesized and the gas chromatographic behavior of the series investigated on NB-54 and NB-1701 capillary columns. The compounds were stable, exhibited symmetrical peak shapes, and fairly linear retention behavior was observed on both columns. The series can be coinjected with every sample to enable the high precision analysis of toxicological samples; screening for 20 benzodiazepine drugs was possible in 23 minutes (including cooling). The R-series method was compared with a retention index method based on a series of benzodiazepine drugs as standards and with a method employing relative retention times. The precision of the R-series method was found to be generally better than that of the two other methods in both long- and short-term studies.     

Heliflex chirasil-Val; GC of amino acid enantiomers

Heliflex Chirasil-Val, a modified form of the original Chirasil-Val phase coated on fused silica capillary, has been investigated with regard to its resolution efficiency and the separation profile for various enantiomeric derivatives of amino acid. The best results could be obtained with TFA-Et derivatives by reason of the relatively low column temperature required.     

Estimation of silanol groups in silica-based packings for liquid chromatography from gas chromatographic retention of cyclohexane and benzene

Summary Gas chromatographic retention of cyclohexane and benzene on microcolumns packed with silica-based materials for liquid chromatography has been investigated to elucidate the relationship with the surface properties of the packing materials. Differences in capacity factors (k) for these two hydrocarbons were related to the surface area of the packing materials. For untreated silica gels, the k value increased with increasing total surface area of the column employed and measurement of k for chemically-bonded stationary phases allowed estimation of accessible residual silanol groups.     

Construction and application of a cold on-column injection system for capillary gas chromatography

A cold on-column injection system for capillary gas chromatography (GC) applications was constructed. It was based upon a conventional split/splitless capillary GC inlet, which in turn was a modification of a conventional packed GC column inlet. The heart of the laboratory constructed cold on-column inlet design was a disposable pyrex micro-sampling pipet, which functioned as a needle guide for sample injection. The sample was injected through a traditional GC septum. Construction of the injection system is described and applications are illustrated by separations of a variety of complex mixtures.     

Determination of amino acids in urine by gas chromatography

This report describes a convenient means of reducing the complex matrix which is responsible for interference during gas chromatographic determination of amino acids in urine. The pre-chromatographic clean-up employs the principle of solid phase extraction using bonded silica incorporating cation exchange groups. This approach avoids the detrimental effects on amino acid recoveries associated with resin-based cation exchangers. In spite of significant reduction in the complexity of chromatograms, only the high efficiency and resolving power offered by the analytical capillary column (e. g. fused silica open tubular, FSOT) is sufficient for quantitative and analysis of amino acids in urine. Reproducibility data from the complete procedure are determined, coefficients of variation (CV) for most amino acids being better than 5% with a mean recovery of 96%.