Determination of airborne carbonyls via pentafluorophenylhydrazine derivatisation by GC-MS and its comparison with HPLC method

The classical analytical method for gaseous carbonyl measurements based on solid sorbent coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and analysis by HPLC/UV suffers from limited resolution of carbonyls with similar molecular structures and high molecular weights. In this paper, we report the development of a sensitive and reliable analytical method for simultaneous determination of 21 airborne carbonyls within the C₁-C₉ range. Carbonyls were collected on a sampling tube filled with 100 mg Tenax TA (60-80 mesh) sorbent coated with 1 μmol pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH), followed by solvent desorption and analysis by gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS). Common carbonyl gases including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, hexaldehyde and benzaldehyde at ppbv levels were collected with efficiency greater than 90% onto sampling tubes at a flow rate of 100 mL min⁻¹. The limits of detection (LODs, signal/noise = 3) of the tested carbonyls were in the range of 0.08-0.20 ppbv for a sampled volume of 24.0 L. These limits are less than or comparable with those that can be obtained using the DNPH-HPLC method. The method has been field-tested both in ambient air of York and in diluted cigarette smoke. Comparing field tests with the classical DNPH-HPLC method, good agreement was displayed between the two methods for the same carbonyls, but with more carbonyl species detected by the PFPH-GC/MS method. The PFPH-GC/MS method provides better molecular separation for carbonyls with similar structures, is highly sensitivity and gives confirmation of identification by structures when detected using MS.     

Evaluation of a passive sampler for airborne formaldehyde

Summary A diffusive sampler for the large scale routine determination of airborne formaldehyde was developed. Formaldehyde is sampled in a badge-type passive sampler containing a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-coated filter paper as sampling layer. Formaldehyde is immediately converted to the corresponding hydrazone, which, after desorption with acetonitrile, is separated and quantified by gradient HPLC using UV detection at 345 nm. Calibration was done via an active sampling method and showed an excellent, time- and concentration-independent linear performance of the diffusive samplers. A detection limit of about 0.05 ml/m³·h (ppm·h) and a relative standard deviation of about 10% ensured a good analytical reliability. By testing the influence of air movements at the sampler surface, a minimum air velocity of 10 cm/s was found necessary to ensure representative sampling.     

A Fractional Factorial Design Applied to the Optimization of Microwave- and Ultrasound-Assisted Acid Leaching Methods for Heavy Metals Determination in Sludges by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

The sampling performance of C₁₈ cartridges coated with DNPH has been studied for twenty four C₁-C₉ carbonyls in experiments involving sampling of parts per billion levels of carbonyls in urban air. indoor air and laboratory experiments. The cartridge background carbonyl content in thirty six batches of cartridges averaged 85, 137 and 155 nanogram/cartridge for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone, respectively, and was below analytical detection for all other carbonyls. Carbonyl-DNPH derivative recovery from the cartridge was complete in the first elution with 2 mL acetonitrile, and this for twenty four carbonyls at concentrations of 0.02–73 μg carbonyl/cartridge. Studies carried out using two cartridges in series showed no breakthrough, for the sixteen carbonyls tested, at concentrations of 0.10–49 μg carbonyl/cartridge and volumes of air sampled = 6–370 L. Average relative standard deviations (RSD) for replicate analyses were 0.20–13.2% for twenty one carbonyls. Average RSD for co-located samples were 0.9–16.2% for eighteen carbonyls. Comparison of RSD for replicates and RSD for co-located samples for thirteen carbonyls indicated that the overall method precision was limited by sampling precision rather than by analytical precision.     

Passive sampling of airborne furan indoors by solid-phase microextraction

Furan may be formed in food under heat treatment and is highly suspected to appear in indoor air. The possible exposure to indoor furan raises concerns because it has been found to cause carcinogenicity and cytotoxicity in animals. To determine airborne furan, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique was utilised as a diffusive sampler. The Carboxen/Polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS, 75 μm) fibre was used, and the SPME fibre assembly was inserted into a polytetrafluoroethene tubing. Furan of known concentrations was generated in Tedlar gas bags for the evaluation of SPME diffusive samplers. After sampling, the sampler was inserted into the injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC/MS) for thermal desorption and analysis. Validation of the SPME device with active sampling by charcoal tube was performed side by side as well. The charcoal tube was desorbed by acetone before analysis with GC/MS. The experimental sampling constant of the sampler was found equal to (9.93 ± 1.28) × 10^?3 (cm³ min^?1) at 25°C. Furthermore, side-by-side validations between SPME device and charcoal tube showed linear relationship with r = 0.9927. The designed passive sampling device for furan has the advantages of both passive sampling and SPME technique and looks suitable for assessing indoor air quality.     

Die Kristallstruktur von MoAlB

Zusammenfassung MoAlB kristallisiert orthorhombisch mit den Zellabmessungena=3,212,b=13,985,c=3,102 Å. In der Raumgruppe Cmem-D _2h ¹⁷ besetzen alle drei Atomarten die Punktlage 4 c) mity _Mo=0,0891,y _Al=0,304,y _B=0,465.

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MoAlB crystallizes with an orthorhombic unit cell having the lattice constantsa=3.212,b=13.985,c=3.102 Å. The three kinds of atoms all occupy the position 4 c) of space group Cmcm-D _2h ¹⁷ withy _Mo=0.0891,y _Al=0.304,y _B=0.465.

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Mit 1 Abbildung     

Determination of carbonyl compounds in air by HPLC using on-line analyzed microcartridges,fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection

Summary Sensitive and selective detection of dansylhydrazones of atmospheric carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) can be achieved using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence or chemiluminescence detection. The carbonyl compounds are derivatized by drawing air through small glass cartridges packed with porous glass particles impregnated with dansylhydrazine. After sampling, the contents of the cartridges are analyzed on-line by using a small plug of water (200 L) to transfer and focus the hydrazone derivatives at the head of a HPLC column. Greatly increased sensitivity over traditional methods derives from 1) analysis of the entire contents of the sampling cartridge, and 2) detection by fluoresence or peroxyoxalate chemilum-inescence. Results are compared for photo-initiated and H₂O₂-initiated peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence. This novel and practical system enables the detection of sub-ppbv concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and higher carbonyls in air using relatively short sampling times.     

Sterically hindered N-aryl/benzyl substituted piperidoimidazolin-2-ylidene palladium complexes and their catalytic activities

A series of N-aryl (2a,b) or benzyl (2c,d) substituted piperidoimidazolinium salts and their palladium complexes (3a-d) were prepared and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of 3a and 3c have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was applied to complexes (3a–d). The palladium complexes have been employed as catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling. The N-aryl substituted complex 3b was a highly efficient precatalyst and successfully employed in Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reactions of (hetero)aryl chlorides with arylboronic acids in air. In addition, the oxidative addition step of the reaction mechanism involving chlorobenzene and the catalysts 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d were computationally investigated by the DFT-$\omega$-B97X-D method and complete agreement were obtained with the catalytic results. To measure σ-donating and π-acceptor properties of the new ligands, the rhodium carbonyl complexes were also prepared.     

Determination of volatile carbonyl compounds in clean air

Summary An improved analytical procedure has been developed for the detection of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and other volatile carbonyls in clean air. For sampling, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazine (DNPH) coated silica gel cartridges were used. DNPH reacts with carbonyls and forms carbonyl hydrazones which are extracted with acetonitrile and subsequently separated by reversed phase HPLC. Sampling flow rates up to 3.5 l/min were tested. The quantification limit of the complete sampling and analytical procedure is 60 ng carbonyl which corresponds to a mixing ratio of 1 ppbv HCHO in a 45 l air sample taken during a sampling time of 13 min. Carbonyl mixing ratios down to 0.1 ppbv can be determined. The collection efficiency and the elution recovery range between 96 and 100%; the precision is ±5% for HCHO and ±4% for CH₃CHO at mixing ratios of 1 ppbv. This technique can also be applied for the determination of aldehydes and ketones in the aqueous phase, e.g. cloud and fog water. In this case, carbonyls were converted to hydrazones simply by mixing the aqueous sample with an acidified DNPH solution. After 40 min reaction time, the hydrazones were analysed by HPLC. The detection limit was 0.2 mol HCHO/l. Possible interference caused by ozone and NO₂ was eliminated by using KI filters connected in series with the DNPH-coated cartridges. The analytical procedure was tested at a mountain measuring station and proved to be a suitable method for monitoring carbonyl compounds in clean air.     

Comparative Analysis of Indoor Levels of Suspended Particulates and Nitrogen Dioxide a Few Hours later after an Asthmatic Attack

Suspended particulates （TSP） and nitrogen dioxide （NO2） are known respiratory irritants linked to asthma aggravation. This pilot study was designed to investigate the role of these pollutants on the frequency of asthmatic attack on two of the inhabitants of a household. The surveillance of TSP and NO2 in this household commenced a few hours later, after one of the occupants suffered an attack. The TSP load determination was done using a High Volume Gravimetric sampler and a light scattering method via a Haz-Dust 10 μm particulate monitor. Palmes Diffusion tubes for NO2 and a portable Crowcon Gasman toxic gas detector were utilized for NO2 screening. In the first day of monitoring in the living room, the in situ particulate sampler （Haz-Dust） recorded a mean TSP level of 26,000 μg·m^-3. A confirmatory test with the eight hour average Gravimetric sampler gave 25,833 μg·m^-3. With the use of the Gasman toxic gas detector for NO2, the NO2 concentration for the first few hours of sampling was lower than 188 μg·m^-3, the detection limit of this instrument. However, the exact NO2 concentrations for the 7 day monitoring after the attack were 27.50 μg·m^-3 （kitchen） and 12.03 μg·m^-3 （living room） as recorded by the Palmes diffusion tubes.     

Development of a Passive Sampler for Long-Term Measurements of Formaldehyde and Total Oxidants in Air

A diffusive sampling device is described that is capable of reliable measurements of formaldehyde and total oxidants (Ox = ozone + nitrogen dioxide) at sub-ppbv concentration levels in ambient air. These species are collected on silica gel particles coated with 1-methyl-1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazine (MDNPH) and phosphoric acid. The formaldehyde hydrazone (HCHO-MDNPh) and the N-methyl-2,4-dinitroaniline (MDNA) formed are extracted with acetonitrile and determined by HPLC with UV detection at 365ánm. The measured sampling rate for HCHO, 15.0 mLmin^-1, agrees well with the theoretical value of 16.0, whilst an experimental sampling rate of 10.7 mLmin^-1 (25% lower than the calculated one) is observed for Ox. The sampling rates seem to be independent of the sampling duration up to one month. The precision of the measurements for co-located passive samplers averaged is 7.3% for HCHO and 7.2% for Ox in urban air.     

Evaluation of the novel passive sampler for cyanobacterial toxins microcystins under various conditions including field sampling

In the present study, we have evaluated the effectiveness of a passive sampler for polar organic chemicals to accumulate a group of widespread and hazardous tumor-promoting toxins produced in cyanobacterial water blooms—microcystins (MC). The previously optimized configuration of the sampler based on polycarbonate membrane and Oasis HLB sorbent (2.75 mg/cm²) was validated under various exposure scenarios in laboratory and field. Calibration of the passive sampler conducted under variable conditions and concentrations of MC revealed linearity of the sampling up to 4 weeks. The sampling rates of microcystins for two different exposure scenarios were derived (e.g., MC-LR: R _s = 0.017 L/day under static and 0.087 L/d under turbulent conditions). R _s values were further used for calculations of time-weighted average concentrations in natural water. Improved sensitivity and selectivity of the in-house-made sampler was observed in comparison with the commercially available Polar Organic Compound Integrative Sampler (POCIS). Comparisons of grab and passive sampling methods were performed during cyanobacterial water bloom season in the Brno reservoir, Czech Republic in 2008. Data obtained by passive sampling provided a more relevant picture of the situation and enabled better assessment of potential risks. The present study demonstrated that the modification of POCIS is suitable for monitoring of occurrence and retrospective estimations of microcystin water concentrations, especially with respect to the control of drinking water quality.     

Palladium(II)-Based Self-Assembled Heteroleptic Coordination Architectures: A Growing Family

Metal-driven self-assembly is one of the most effective approaches to lucidly design a large range of discrete 2D and 3D coordination architectures/complexes. Palladium(II)-based self-assembled coordination architectures are usually prepared by using suitable metal components, in either a partially protected form (PdL′) or typical form (Pd; charges are not shown), and designed ligand components. The self-assembled molecules prepared by using a metal component and only one type of bi- or polydentate ligand (L) can be classified in the homoleptic series of complexes. On the other hand, the less explored heteroleptic series of complexes are obtained by using a metal component and at least two different types of non-chelating bi- or polydentate ligands (such as L^a and L^b). Methods that allow the controlled generation of single, discrete heteroleptic complexes are less understood. A survey of palladium(II)-based self-assembled coordination cages that are heteroleptic has been made. This review article illustrates a systematic collection of such architectures and credible justification of their formation, along with reported functional aspects of the complexes. The collected heteroleptic assemblies are classified here into three sections: 1) [(PdL′)_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is equal; 2) [(PdL′)_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is different; and 3) [Pd_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is equal. Representative examples of some important homoleptic architectures are also provided, wherever possible, to set a background for a better understanding of the related heteroleptic versions. The purpose of this review is to pave the way for the construction of several unique heteroleptic coordination assemblies that might exhibit emergent supramolecular functions.     

The Role of the Ratio of CIS Carbonyl Interaction Constants in the Force Constant Calculation and Vibrational Assignments for Some Ligand Substituted Metal Carbonyls

An empirical linear relationship between the ratio of cis interaction constants and the ratio of stretching force constants was derived and a method for determining the ratio of cis interaction constants for ligand substituted metal carbonyls was proposed. Results of the present work would enable us to assess the validity of the Cotton-Kraihanzel approximation of k=k^c and to evaluate the correctness and the reliability of Some anomalous carbonyl force constants evaluated with other methods. The reliable correlation of the ratio of stretching force constants with the ratio of interaction constants would be helpful to clarify some ambiguous vibrational assignments made previously for the carbonyl bands of metal carbonyls, or to analyze isotope spectra of carbonyl bands for other related molecules in the same series.     

A miniaturized active sampler for the assessment of personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide

A personalized, miniaturized air sampling system was evaluated to estimate the daily exposure of pediatric asthmatics to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The lightweight device (170 g) uses a sampling pump connected to a solid sorbent tube containing triethanolamine (TEA)-impregnated molecular sieve. The pump is powered by a 9 V battery and samples air over a 24 h period at a collection rate of 0.100 L/min. After exposure, the solid sorbent is removed from the tubes for spectrophotometric analysis (Griess Assay). The lower detection limit of the overall method for NO₂ is 11 μg/m³. The linearity, precision and accuracy of the sampler was evaluated. Different NO₂ concentrations generated in the laboratory (range: 50 to 340 μg/m³) were simultaneously measured by the TEA tube samplers and colocated continuous chemiluminescent NO_x analyzers (reference method). The coefficient of determination for the laboratory test derived from ordinary linear regression (OLR) was r ²=0.99 (y _OLR=0.94x−4.58) and the precision 3.6%. Further, ambient NO₂ concentrations in the field (range: 10–120 μg/m³) were verified with continuous chemiluminescent monitors next to the active samplers. Reweighted least squares analysis (RLS) based on the least median squares procedure (LMS) resulted in a correlation of r ²=0.68 for a field comparison in Riverside, CA (y _RLS=1.01x−0.94) and r ²=0.92 in Los Angeles, CA (y _RLS=1.31x−7.12). The precision of the TEA tube devices was 7.4% (at 20–60 μg/m³ NO₂) under outdoor conditions. Data show that the performance of this small active sampling system was satisfactory for measuring environmental concentrations of NO₂ under laboratory and field conditions. It is useful for personal monitoring of NO₂ in environmental epidemiology studies where daily measurements are desired.     

Determination of gaseous carbonyl compounds by their pentafluorophenyl hydrazones with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 20 airborne carbonyl compounds in the C₁-C₁₀ range. The carbonyls were collected onto solid sorbent coated with pentafluorophenyl hydrazine (PFPH), followed by solvent extraction and gas chromatographic (GC)/mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of the PFPH derivatives. The sorbent is packed into two separate sections in a glass sampling tube. The two-section design allows convenient checking of collection efficiency and breakthrough. The sampling tube, with a coating amount of 971 nmol PFPH per 100 mg Tenax TA and operated at a sampling flow rate of 80 mL min⁻¹, collects the 20 carbonyls with efficiencies above 95%. Hexane extracts the collected carbonyls in their PFPH derivatives in the sampling tube with better than 95% extraction efficiency. It is necessary to let the sampling tube sit at ambient temperature for 3 days before solvent extraction to ensure complete derivatization of the carbonyls. The limits of detection (LODs) of the tested carbonyls are in the range of 3.7-11.6 ng per sample. The method has been field-tested both in ambient environment and in an indoor environment from burning mosquito-repellent incense. Eighteen carbonyls were detected in the ambient air samples with the exception of o-tolualdehyde and m-tolualdehyde, while all the 20 target carbonyls were found in the incense smoke. Compare field test with classical DNPH-HPLC/UV method, good agreement exited between the two methods for lower molecular carbonyls but PFPH method is found to be a better analytical method for determination of high molecular weight carbonyls.     

Development of diffusive solid phase microextraction method for sampling of epichlorohydrin in air

Epichlorohydrin is used frequently in many industrial processes. Exposure to this pollutant could induce harmful effects. The present work developed a novel solid phase microextraction (SPME) method for time weighted average determination of epichlorohydrin in the air by GC/MS. CAR/PDMS in 0.5?cm retracted mode was selected and the effect of environmental parameters on sampling properties of SPME was examined. Experimental sampling rate for epichlorohydrin (8.89?×?10^?3?cm³/min) was slightly less than theoretical value (9.059?×?10^?3?cm³/min). There was no significant difference among sampling rates at different temperature and velocities but relative humidity had a significant effect on the sampling rate. Limit of detection for SPME method was 0.8?ng per sample, which is good enough in comparison with the NIOSH 1010 method. Comparison of the results between the developed SPME and the NIOSH 1010 method on standard test atmosphere and field showed satisfactory agreement (y?=?1.162x?+?1.8 r ²?=?0.992 and y?=?1.009x+0.76 r ²?=?0.98 respectively).     

F-Induced decomposition of 3-[(3-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)phennoxy]-3-phenyl-1,2-dioxetanes without CC bond cleavage of the dioxetane ring

F⁻-induced decomposition of 3-[3-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenoxy]-3-phenyl-1,2-dioxetane (5c) yielded an intramolecular redox product (7b), whereas 3-phenoxy-3-(3-siloxyphenyl)-1,2-dioxetane (3) gave normal carbonyl fragments with intense light emission. An isomer (5a) gave light with normal decomposition by CIEEL, though the major process was one to yield an acyloin (7a).     

Combined kinetic analysis of solid-state reactions: The integral method (ICKA)

In this work, we propose the first Integral method for the Combined Kinetic Analysis (ICKA) of solid-state reactions typically performed in a thermogravimetric analyzer. The ICKA method prevents the systematic inaccuracies inherent to all the differential methods, including the standard CKA method. Two main achievements have been made for implementing the method: (1) the most accurate approximation for the general temperature integral yet developed, and (2) a general integral form of the kinetic model of the type g (α) = (abcZ)⁻¹ [1 − (1 − α^a)^b]^c, where Z is a parameter evaluated together with the preexponential factor and a, b, and c are fitting parameters. This expression allows any known kinetic model to be exactly or very closely reproduced. Together, the two developments yield an equation for the conversion, α, that has been successfully fitted to simulated conversion values of single-step reaction processes following different kinetic models. The curve fitting resulted in the same values of the kinetic and model parameters as those from which the simulated conversion curves were originally built, proving the validity of the ICKA method.     

Application of passive sampling technique in monitoring research on quality of atmospheric air in the area of Tczew,Poland

This paper presents the results of atmospheric air quality research in Tczew (adjacent to the Vistula River) on the content of BTEX compounds. procedure applied during the sampling of the analytes from the air used the passive sampling technique (diffusive passive sampler, Radiello^®). For determination of BTEX compounds in atmospheric air, two-stage thermal desorption technique combined with gas chromatography (TD-GC-FID) was applied.

Research was conducted from March to December 2011. The annual average concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and total xylenes determined in atmospheric air for the monitoring period were: 0.87 μg m^–3, 2.9 μg m^–3, 1.3 μg m^–3 and 5.9 μg m^–3, respectively. In order to pre-identify potential sources of emissions of BTEX compounds, statistical analysis was carried out. This determined interactions between specified concentration levels of BTEX compounds in atmospheric air for the monitored area.     

A New HPLC Method to Determine Carbonyl Compounds in Air

In this paper,a new HPLC method was established to determine the earbonyl compounds in air.As the absorbent,2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazint(2,4-DNPH)reaeted with earbonyls specifieally,which form the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones,then analyzed by HPLC.The chromatographic conditions,the recovery rate,stability of samples,reagent blank,sampling efficiency were all studied systematically.The results showed that this established method had high sensitivity and good selectivity compared with other analytical methods,and it can detemine ten earbonyl compounds in air in 26 min simultancously.