Comparison of sulphur-mode and tin-mode flame photometric detectors for the gas chromatographic determination of organotin compounds

A comparison of sulphur-mode (393 nm) and tin-mode (610 nm) flame photometric detectors for the gas chromatographic determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds is described. The chromatographic peaks of the butyl- and phenyltin compounds were well separated, and high sensitivity was achieved in both modes; however, the tin-mode was more specific for tin compounds than the sulphur-mode. The absolute detection limits with the sulphur-mode and the tin-mode were 3.9-7.6 pg and 2.6-5.1 pg as tin, respectively. The application of the tin-mode gas chromatographic method to the determination of organotin compounds in fish is presented. For this application, organotins are extracted (as chloride) with hydrochloric acid and n-hexane-benzene (3:2, containing 0.05% tropolone) and the extracts are pentylated by a Grignard reagent prior to gas chromatography. The absolute recoveries of butyl- and phenyltin compounds added to fish samples ranged from 68.5 to 84.4% (the coefficients of variation were less than 6.6% for all substances, n = 8). Significant amounts of three organotin compounds (di- and tributyltin and triphenyltin) in fish samples were detected by this method. This technique may have application for other organotin compounds and the monitoring of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in the environment.     

Determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in human urine by HS-SPME after derivatization with tetraethylborate and subsequent determination by capillary GC with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission and mass spectrometric detection

A headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) method was developed and optimized for gas chromatographic separation and determination of commonly found organotin compounds in human urine after potential exposure. Butyl- and phenyltin compounds were in situ derivatized to ethylated derivatives by sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄) directly in the urine matrix. The relevant parameters affecting the yield of the SPME procedure were examined using tetrabutyltin as internal standard. The method was optimized for direct use in the analysis of undiluted human urine samples and mono-, di- and tri-substituted butyl- and phenyltin compounds could be determined after a 15-min headspace extraction time at room temperature. The selectivity of the microwave-induced plasma atomic emission detector (MIP-AED) as an element specific detector in combination with the relatively selective sample preparation technique of HS-SPME allowed the interference-free detection of the organotin compounds in all cases. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was used in parallel experiments as a detector for the confirmation of the identity molecular structure of the eluted compounds. The performance characteristics of the developed method are given for the determination of mixtures of these compounds. Finally the proposed method was applied to the analysis of several human urine samples.     

Investigating the potential of high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry as an alternative method for the speciation analysis of organotin compounds

Liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) was applied for the determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds. Chromatography was performed on a 30 ׶2 mm, 3 μm C18 column, enabling the separation of mono-, di- and trisubstituted butyl- and phenyltin compounds in less than 10 min using a water/1% trifluoroacetic acid/¶methanol gradient. While satisfactory retention and resolution is achieved for the di- and trisubstituted butyl- and phenyltin compounds, monobutyltin and monophenyltin cannot be resolved chromatographically. Depending on the parameter values of the interface, APCI-MS detection allows both specific detection of the molecular ion or cluster ion at low to intermediate fragmentor voltages or quasi-element specific detection of the Sn⁺ ion released from the organotin compounds at high fragmentor voltages. The sensitivity of MS detection is similar for butyl- and phenyltin compounds, but varies largely from mono- to trisubstituted organotin compounds with tributyl- and triphenyltin being the most sensitively detectable compounds. Detection limits are in the 20–65 pg (abs.) range in SIM mode and in the 750–2000 pg (abs.) range in the scan mode for tributyl- and triphenyltin and for dibutyl- and diphenyltin, respectively. Monobutyl- and monophenyltin can be detected with much lower sensitivity which, together with their unfavorable chromatographic behavior, accounts for the fact that they cannot be analyzed at environmentally relevant concentrations. Although LC-APCI-MS is generally less sensitive than comparable GC methods, it is applicable to the analysis of environmental samples as demonstrated by the analysis of the PACS-2 sediment certified reference material. Although the derivatization of the ionic organotin compounds, which particularly in real samples is a potential source of error, is circumvented when LC-APCI-MS is used, the extraction step is still critical and may lead to underestimation when quantitation is not done by the method of standard addition.     

Simultaneous determination of butyltin and phenyltin compounds in oysters by capillary gas chromatography

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in oyster samples. The organotin compounds were extracted (as chlorides) from oyster homogenates with hydrochloric acid and benzene in the presence of 0.05% tropolone. These compounds were converted into pentyl derivatives with pentyl Grignard reagent and then analysed by capillary gas chromatography with a flame photometric detector equipped with a 393-nm filter. The recoveries of six organotin compounds added to oyster samples ranged from 71 to 74%. The detection limits of butyl- and phenyltin compounds were in the 5-9 pg range as tin. We detected significant amounts of three organotin compounds (di- and tributyltin and triphenyltin) in oyster samples.     

Investigating the potential of high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry as an alternative method for the speciation analysis of organotin compounds

Liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) was applied for the determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds. Chromatography was performed on a 30 x 2 mm, 3 microm C18 column, enabling the separation of mono-, di- and trisubstituted butyl- and phenyltin compounds in less than 10 min using a water/1% trifluoroacetic acid/methanol gradient. While satisfactory retention and resolution is achieved for the di- and trisubstituted butyl- and phenyltin compounds, monobutyltin and monophenyltin cannot be resolved chromatographically. Depending on the parameter values of the interface, APCI-MS detection allows both specific detection of the molecular ion or cluster ion at low to intermediate fragmentor voltages or quasi-element specific detection of the Sn+ ion released from the organotin compounds at high fragmentor voltages. The sensitivity of MS detection is similar for butyl- and phenyltin compounds, but varies largely from mono- to trisubstituted organotin compounds with tributyl- and triphenyltin being the most sensitively detectable compounds. Detection limits are in the 20-65 pg (abs.) range in SIM mode and in the 750-2000 pg (abs.) range in the scan mode for tributyl- and triphenyltin and for dibutyl- and diphenyltin, respectively. Monobutyl- and monophenyltin can be detected with much lower sensitivity which, together with their unfavorable chromatographic behavior, accounts for the fact that they cannot be analyzed at environmentally relevant concentrations. Although LC-APCI-MS is generally less sensitive than comparable GC methods, it is applicable to the analysis of environmental samples as demonstrated by the analysis of the PACS-2 sediment certified reference material. Although the derivatization of the ionic organotin compounds, which particularly in real samples is a potential source of error, is circumvented when LC-APCI-MS is used, the extraction step is still critical and may lead to underestimation when quantitation is not done by the method of standard addition.     

Solid phase extraction/programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) injection in GC-analysis of toxaphene and PCBs in aqueous samples

Summary A high-resolution gas-chromatographic (HRGC) method with electron capture detection is described for the sensitive determination of PCBs and toxaphene in water in the lower ng/l range. The required low detection limits are guaranteed by isolation of the target compounds and concentration from the filtered water sample by solid phase extraction with specific C₁₈ silica gel (200–250 m) alone or combined with the injection of larger extract volumes into a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) operating in the solvent venting mode. The bonded silica gel was prepared by reaction of the surface silanol groups with octadecyltrichlorosilane. A C₁₈ silica of reproducible coverage was received. Practical aspects of the use of the solid phase extraction in combination with the PTV injection technique are discussed. The recoveries for toxaphene and PCBs were 85 and 78%.     

Determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in biological material by gas chromatography-flame photometric detection after ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate

A reliable and rapid speciation method for the simultaneous determination of butyl- and phenyltin species in biological samples has been developed. Three extraction procedures are compared: enzymatic hydrolysis and solubilization by ethanoic and hydrochloric acids. Derivatization is performed by the one-step ethylation/extraction procedure using the sodium tetraethylborate reagent directly in the aqueous phase in the presence of an isooctane layer. Analysis is performed using capillary gas chromatography coupled to flame photometric detection. The detection limits are in the range of a few ng(Sn)/g. Analysis of the environmental samples and the certified reference material demonstrates the accuracy of the analytical method.     

Polarographisches Verhalten der C2-Halogenkohlenwasserstoffe

Summary Investigations on the polarographic and voltammetric behaviour of organic halogen compounds were carried out in order to obtain information on the redox properties and how to develop determination and detection methods. In this second report the dp-polarographic behaviour of the halogen substituted C₂-compounds has been studied in different supporting electrolytes and in various solvents. The electrode processes are discussed and the possibilities for the polarographic determination of the C₂-halogen hydrocarbons. The detection limit is 0.25 g · ml^–1 and the linear current-concentration relationship is observed up to 25 g · ml^–1. A simple and rapid method is proposed for the dp-polarographic determination of 1,2-dibromoethane in gasoline; the relative standard deviation for 20 g · ml^–1 is ±1.8%.     

Speciation of organotin in sediments by multicapillary gas chromatography with atomic emission detection after microwave-assisted leaching and solvent extraction-derivatization

Microwave-assisted leaching of organotin compounds from sediment samples followed by the simultaneous extraction-derivatization of the extracted species was revisited with the goal to compare the existing procedures, improve their recoveries and extend them to phenyltin compounds. The stability of butyl- and phenyltin compounds under microwave field, real recoveries of the whole analytical procedure, effect of the extraction solvent, and the necessity for an internal standard were evaluated using two candidate reference sediments. The combination of the optimized sample preparation procedure with multicapillary chromatography resulted in a rapid (2 min leaching + 5 min extraction-derivatization + 3 min chromatographic separation) and efficient analytical procedure for speciation analysis of organotin compounds in sediment samples. The detection limit achieved with a microwave-induced plasma atomic emission detector was 2 ng g^–1. Received: 27 July 1998 / Revised: 31 August 1998 / Accepted: 4 September 1998     

GC FPD method for the simultaneous speciation of butyltin and phenyltin compounds in waters

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of nanogram amounts of mono-, di- and tri-butyltin compounds in water. The procedure is based on the conversion of tin compounds to volatile species by Grignard pentylation and analysis using GC with flame photometric detection (GC FPD). The ionic compounds are extracted from diluted acidified (HBr) aqueous solutions by using a pentane-tropolone solution. The extracted organotin compounds are pentylated by a Grignard reagent and purified on a Fluorisil column before analysis by GC FPD. The detection limits are 20 ng dm^?3 for butyltin compounds and 50 ng dm^?3 for phenyltin compounds. Recoveries from spiking experiments in tap-water and natural seawater matrices, in which no organotin compounds were detected, were greater than 90% for most of the alkyltin compounds.     

Determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in sediments by GC-FPD after NaBEt(4) ethylation

A reliable and rapid speciation method for the simultaneous determination of butyl- and phenyltin species in sediment samples has been developed. Two extraction procedures are compared: methanolic hydrochloric acid (at four different concentrations) and ethanoic acid leaching. Derivatization is carried out by the one-step ethylation/extraction procedure using the sodium tetraethylborate reagent directly in aqueous phase in the presence of an isooctane layer. Analysis is performed by capillary gas chromatography hyphenated to flame photometric detection (GC-FPD). Detection limits range from 0.5 to 1.5 ng(Sn) g(-1)(dry weight). Analysis of environmental samples and certified reference materials demonstrate the accuracy of the analytical method.     

Determination of organotin compounds in biological samples using accelerated solvent extraction,sodium tetraethylborate ethylation,and multicapillary gas chromatography–flame photometric detection

A method has been developed for species-selective analysis of organotin compounds in solid, biological samples. The procedure is based on accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of analytes and includes extraction of the tin species with a methanol–water (90% methanol) solution of acetic acid/sodium acetate containing tropolone (0.03% w/v), their ethylation with NaBEt₄, and separation and detection by GC–FPD. The analytical procedure was optimized with an unspiked sample of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) liver. Effects of ASE operational variables (extraction temperature and pressure, solvent composition, number of static extraction steps) are discussed. Method detection limits (MDL) were in the range 6–10 ng(Sn) g^–1 dry weight and 7–17 ng(Sn) g^–1 dry weight for butyl- and phenyltin compounds, respectively. Recoveries were comparable with or better than those obtained by use of other procedures reported in the literature. The analytical procedure was validated by analysis of NIES No. 11 (fish tissue) certified reference material.     

HPLC preparation of nitrate from ice cores for mass spectrometric 15N/14N measurements

Summary A method for the analysis of ¹⁵N-data of nitrate at ultratrace levels in ice cores is described. Samples are pre-concentrated using a HPLC-system. Nitrate is then reduced using the Dumas method to molecular nitrogen, which is analysed by mass spectrometry. The overall analytical precision of the method is ±0.4¹⁵N at a sample size of 35 bar l N₂. First results of deep ice-core analyses from Dome Summit, Greenland, are given.     

Determination of organic alkyl- and 1-hydroxy hydroperoxides with chemiluminescence, fluorescence and GC/MS

Summary In this study three methods for the determination of peroxy compounds with HPLC are presented. The applicability of these methods with respect to atmospheric chemistry is discussed. In rain samples 1-hydroxy hydroperoxides are determined with a detection limit of 0.058 mol/l. Alkyl hydroperoxides are determined in a mixture of hydrocarbon, hydrogen peroxide and air which has been irradiated with light before analysis. A new method for the detection of peroxides in such photolysis mixtures by GC/MS is presented.     

Isolation and determination of volatile organic sulphur compounds in aqueous solutions

Summary A procedure has been worked out for isolation and determination of volatile organic sulphur compounds in water. These compounds are isolated from an aqueous sample by countercurrent thin-layer head-space (TLHS) technique. After isolation, the sulphur compounds are burned in a quartz tube and the combustion products (SO₂/SO₃ mixture) are absorbed by a 10% solution of hydrogen peroxide. The resulting sulphuric acid is introduced into the heated part of a quartz tube, where the presence of tungsten trioxide at 1150°C ensures its complete decomposition. The sulphur dioxide formed is titrated microcoulometrically with iodine. Organic halogen compounds usually present in different waters do not interfere. The complete procedure has been tested on model solutions of sulphur compounds in the concentration range of 10–200 g S/l.     

The determination of organotin compounds in edible oils by gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry

An extraction method for butyl-, cyclohexyl-, octyl- and phenyltin compounds from edible oils was developed using 0.05% tropolone in 0.04M HCl/methanol. Cooling the methanol extracts in a dry ice/methanol bath removed approximately 64% of nonvolatile coextractives without affecting recoveries. Methyl derivatives formed by Grignard reaction were quantitated by gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry. Edible oils sold in poly(vinyl chloride) containers had ng/g levels of dioctyl- and monooctyltin. GCMS confirmed the presence of octyltin and did not detect any other organotin compounds in the extracts.     

Spectrophotometric flow injection analysis of formaldehyde in aqueous solutions using 3-methyl-2-benzthiazolinone hydrazone

Summary A flow injection method for the determination of formaldehyde was developed. It is based on its reaction with 3-methyl-2-benzthiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) to yield a blue formazan anion. Typically 180 l samples are injected into a buffered carrier stream with a frequency of 30 per hour. This sample line merges with the reagent stream containing MBTH, whereupon an azine is formed. After merging with a second stream containing an acidic solution of FeCl₃ as reagent, MBTH is oxidized to an intermediate that attacks the azine yielding the formazan dye with an _max at 635 nm. The method was applied to formaldehyde concentrations in the range from 0.15 mg/l to 15 mg/l. The relative standard deviation was 2.3% for 3 mg/l formaldehyde, and 5.1% for 0.3 mg/l, respectively. Strong reducing agents like nitrite interfere seriously. Out of the family of carbonyl compounds only acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde cause strong positive interference.     

Determination of benzidine in urine using capillary gas chromatography and negative-ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

Summary A highly sensitive and specific gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) assay for the determination of benzidine in urine is reported. It is based on the solvent extraction of the hydrolysed benzidine conjugates, together with the deuterium-labelled benzidine-d₈ added as an internal standard, and a two-phase derivatisation procedure using pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) in the presence of pyridine as the phase-transfer catalyst. The reaction is complete within 5 min at room temperature. The pentafluoropropyl derivatives are quantified through capillary column GC-MS using selected ion monitoring (SIM) in the negative-ion chemical ionisation mode (NICI). The lower limit of detection for benzidine was 0.5 g/l and the calibration plot showed linearity between 2 g/l and 200 g/l. The recovery of the analyte added to pooled urine was above 82%. Analysis of 20 urine samples from un-exposed persons and 20 urine specimens of workers employed in a polyurethane-making plant using this procedure showed no substances likely to manifest false positive results in the range of interest.     

Determination of organometallics in intra-oral air by LT-GC/ICP-MS

Low temperature gas chromatography (LT-GC) coupled on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to identify volatile metal and metalloid compounds in human breath. After cryogenic sampling, the gas sample has been separated without any clean-up by increasing the temperature (–100 to +200° C). Simultaneous determination of 11 elements with ICP-MS was used for screening analysis. The detection limits of volatile compounds in intra-oral air are in the range of ng m^–3. Dimethyl selenium has been determined in each gas sample from six test persons in the range of 0.08 to 0.98 g m^–3.     

Alkaloids ofRhinopetalum stenantherum. II. The structure of stenanthine and stenanthidine

From a methanolic extract of the epigeal part ofRhinopetalum stenantherum have been isolated -chaconine (I) and the new glucoalkaloids stenanthine with mp 262–264°C []_D 46.5°, C₄₅H₇₃NO₁₅ (II), and stenanthidine with mp 269–271°C, []_D –47.5°, C₃₉H₆₃NO₁₁ (III). On the basis of the facts that partial hydrolysis of the trioside (II) formed the biosides (I) and (III), and that on the hydrolysis of the latter the monoside -chaconine was found, it may be assumed that stenanthine has the structure of solanidine 3-0-{[0--D-glucosyl-(1 6)]-[0--L-rhamnosyl-(1 4)]-D-glucoside}, and stenanthidine that of solanidine 3-0-[0--D-glucosyl-(1 6)-D-glucoside].Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 349–356, May–June, 1981.