Simultaneous determination of odorous volatile organic compounds with gas chromatography and a thermal desorber: A case study on methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, butyl acetate, toluene, and xylene

In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to examine the feasibility of the gas chromatographic approach for the quantification of several odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental samples which included methyl ethyl ketone, isobutyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and butyl acetate plus benzene, toluene, and xylene (namely, BTX). The gaseous working standards (WS) of seven compounds were initially calibrated at varying concentration ranges by direct injection (DI) into GC injector. The detection properties of these compounds were then tested with a thermal desorber (TD). The relative sensitivities of three aromatic VOCs differed greatly between DI and TD methods. In contrast, four polar VOCs tend to consistently exhibit relative enhancement in response factors with increasing molecular mass (an exception of butyl acetate), regardless of method. The TD-based analysis was reliable enough to detect all target VOCs below their odor threshold values with their detection limit (DL) values. This TD method, when tested against a number of environmental samples collected from several industrial facilities, confirmed the presence of these odorous VOCs at a wide concentration range.     

An evaluation of two calibration procedures using thermal desorption-gas chromatography in the analysis of odorous volatile compounds

In this study, the relative performance of gas chromatography (GC) was investigated with respect to the differences in two types of calibration approaches with a thermal desorption (TD) method: the fixed standard concentration approach (FSC: the comparison of different sample volumes for a given standard) was compared with the fixed standard volume approach (FSV: the comparison of different concentration standards at a fixed loading volume). Gaseous working standards of seven odorants, including methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), butyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, isobutyl alcohol, toluene, xylene, and a reference component, benzene, were prepared at four concentration levels (10-100 ppb). They were then analyzed by controlling the TD-loading volumes at six levels (40-1200 mL). The results derived by these contrasting calibration approaches showed moderate changes in the GC sensitivity, either with an increasing concentration (i.e., FSC), or with an increasing sample loading volume (i.e., FSV). Despite an eccentric trend of MEK, the TD-based analysis was fairly predictable and can be recommended for the analysis of the selected odorants.     

Comparison of storage stability of odorous VOCs in polyester aluminum and polyvinyl fluoride Tedlar bags

Whole air sampling using containers such as flexible bags or rigid canisters is commonly used to collect samples of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in air. The objective of this study was to compare the stability of polyester aluminum (PEA) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF, brand name Tedlar^®) bags for gaseous VOC sampling. Eight VOC standards (benzene, toluene, p-xylene, styrene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isobutyl alcohol) were placed into each bag at storage times of 0, 2, and 3 days prior to analyses by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). From each bag representing each storage day, samples of 3 different mass loadings were withdrawn and analyzed to derive response factors (RF) of each chemical between the slope of the GC response (y-axis) vs. loaded mass (x-axis). The relative recoveries (RR) of VOC, if derived by dividing RF value of a given storage day by that of 0 day, varied by time, bag type, and VOC type. If the RR values after three days are compared, those of methyl isobutyl ketone were the highest with 96 (PVF) and 99% (PEA); however, the results of isobutyl alcohol were highly contrasting between the two bags with 31 and 94%, respectively. Differences in RR values between the two bag types increased with storage time, such that RR of PEA bags (88 ± 10%) were superior to those of PVF bags (73 ± 22%) after three days, demonstrating that VOC in PEA bags were more stable than in PVF bags.     

Effect of standard phase differences between gas and liquid and the resulting experimental bias in the analysis of gaseous volatile organic compounds

Liquid- or gas-phase standards can be used for the analysis of VOCs in air. Once the accuracy is secured in the standard preparation stage, the use of gas-phase standard should be more reliable with the least matrix effect. However, it is not difficult to find that the liquid-phase standard is used more preferably in many laboratories for several reasons (e.g., low expense, easy handling, etc.). As such, one needs to accurately evaluate any possible bias stemming from the use of different standard phases. To this end, standards for 8 VOCs consisting of 4 aromatic compounds (benzene (B), toluene (T), styrene (S) and p-xylene (p-X)) and 4 others (methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), butyl acetate (BuAc), and isobutyl alcohol (i-BuAl)) were prepared in both liquid and gas phases. Each standard was analyzed by the initial collection on the adsorption tube and by the combined application of thermal-desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). The results indicated that experimental bias between the two phases, if expressed in terms of percent difference (PD), was very low in many target VOCs (B (1.09%), T (2.41%), p-X (3.64%), MEK (6.76%), and MIBK (0.17%)), while it was not in some targets (e.g., >10%: e.g., S, i-BuAl, and BuAc). In an ancillary experiment, biases were evaluated further by (1) calibrating gaseous samples against liquid phase standard and via (2) comparison between two different types of gas phase standards. In conclusion, treatment of different standards (e.g., between the same or different phases) will inevitably induce biases in most VOCs, although certain volatiles (e.g., benzene, MIBK, etc.) are virtually unaffected by such variables in a practical sense.     

The Sensitivity of Gas Chromatography-Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction in Relationship with Relative Volatility of Volatile Organic Compounds

In order to explore the analytical performance of Headspace-Solid-phase Microextraction (HS-SPME), the sensitivity of gas chromatography (GC)-Mass Spectrometry (MS) determinations was examined in terms of calibration slopes, that is, response factor values of selected volatile organic compounds (VOC). The HS-SPME was applied to extract two kinds of gaseous VOC analytes, namely group I (methyl ethyl ketone, isobutyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and butyl acetate, all having high water solubility) and group II (benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene, all having moderate water solubility) from water solutions. The results, derived by both external and internal calibration, were then evaluated by considering headspace sample volume and solute volatility. In the case of solutes consisting of group I, sensitivity seems to increase with increasing HS size, although there are no such discernible patterns for group II solutes. The observed relative patterns in extraction efficiency may be accounted for by the differences in intermolecular forces present between the compounds of groups I and II and the possible effects of diffusion kinetics of the VOCs to the SPME fiber or competitive adsorption between different VOCs. As such, sensitivity of HS-SPME is tightly affected by the air-water partitioning properties of the target compounds and the response of SPME to such properties.     

Comparative analysis of odorous volatile organic compounds between direct injection and solid-phase microextraction: Development and validation of a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based methodology

In this study, the feasibility of GC–MS was evaluated for the quantification of odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental samples. These included methyl ethyl ketone, isobutyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and butyl acetate plus benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). For this purpose, the gaseous standard for these VOCs were analyzed by GC–MS with the aid of both direct injection (DI) into the GC injector and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The liquid phase standard prepared independently was tested additionally by the DI method as a reference to gaseous calibration. The detection limit (DL) values, when tested for basic quality assurance in this study, showed large differences between DI (0.002–0.007 ng) and SPME method (1.03–1.81 ng) in terms of absolute mass. The DL values, when expressed in terms of concentration (v/v), showed considerable improvement in SPME (below 0.40 nmol mol⁻¹) relative to the DI method (∼6–15 nmol mol⁻¹). The reliability of the GC–MS method was further validated through an analysis of real environmental samples collected from an industrial area.     

Trace analysis of volatile polar organics by direct aqueous injection gas chromatography

Summary Procedures for the quantitative analysis of industrial effluents which involve concentration by solvent extraction or the purge-and-trap method are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to error. Direct aqueous injection gas chromatography using an electron-capture detector for the analysis of volatile halocarbons at the ppb level is in routine use in many laboratories. We now discuss the development of a similar protocol for the analysis of volatile polar organics such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and tretrahydrofuran using a flame-ionization detector.     

Identification of control parameters for the sulfur gas storability with bag sampling methods

Air samples containing sulfur compounds are often collected and stored in sample bags prior to analysis. The storage stability of six gaseous sulfur compounds (H₂S, CH₃SH, DMS, CS₂, DMDS and SO₂) was compared between two different bag materials (polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and polyester aluminum (PEA)) at five initial concentrations (1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 ppb). The response factors (RF) of these samples were determined after storage periods of 0, 1, and 3 days by gas chromatography–pulsed flame photometric detector (GC–PFPD) combined with an air server (AS)/thermal desorber (TD) system. Although concentration reduction occurred more rapidly from samples of the high concentration standards (1000 and 10,000 ppb), such trends were not evident in their low concentration counterparts (1, 10, and 100 ppb). As such, temporal changes in RF values and the associated loss rates of most sulfur gases were greatly affected by their initial concentration levels. Moreover, the storability of oxidized sulfur compound (SO₂) was greatly distinguished from that of reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs), as the former almost disappeared in the PVF bag even after one day. The results of our study confirm that storability of gaseous sulfur species is affected interactively by such variables as initial gas concentration level, bag material type, and oxidation status with the associated reactivity.     

Coulometric generation of hydrogen ions by oxidation of mercury in methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone

Mercury(II)-chloride reacts with anhydrous methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone in a precise stoichiometry ratio (1:2), and weakly ionized compounds of mercury with ketones are formed and equivalent quantity of HCl is released. The application of a mercury anode for the quantitative generation of H⁺ ions in 0.25 M sodium perchlorate in anhydrous methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone has been investigated. Current/potentials curves for the solvents, titrated bases, indicator and mercury showed that in these solvents mercury is oxidized at potentials much more negative than those for the titrated bases and other components present in the solution. The protons generated in this way have been used for the titration of some organic bases, with either visual or potentiometric end-point detection. The oxidation of mercury in methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone and the reaction of mercury ions with these solvents have been found to proceed with 100% current efficiency.     

Flame atomic absorption spectrometry of silver and gold in copper intermediates

The effect of hydrochloric acid and salts from the sample on the solubility of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) in aqueous phase and the effect of hydrochloric acid concentration on the MIBK extraction of iron(III) and gold(III) were studied. As a result, an improved method by flame atomic absorption sepctrometry for determination of silver and gold in copper intermediates was developed, employing a more efficient removal of iron and special standards depending upon the concentration of salts introduced by different samples.     

The extraction of ferric chloride with methyl isobutyl ketone and amyl acetate

Summary The extraction of iron as ferric chloride in 7 M hydrochloric acid by a mixture of (1+1) or (2+1) methyl isobutyl ketone and amyl acetate is quantitative for macro as well as for micro amounts of iron. The distribution ratio is very high ( 4000). With these mixtures no emulsification difficulties are encountered as they are with methyl isobutyl ketone alone. The behaviour of 44 elements in this extraction has been investigated.     

Atomic absorption spectrometry of cadmium after solvent extraction with zinc dibenzyldithiocarbamate

The AAS determination of cadmium extracted as dibenzyldithiocarbamate in methyl isobutyl ketone was investigated. Cadmium was quantitatively removed from the aqueous phase at pH 5 ± 0.5 with a single extraction by shaking for 2 min. The sensitivity of the method was found to be 6 ppm (1% absorption). The precision expressed as coefficient of variation was 1.5% at the 40-ppM level. Interference from foreign cations and anions was examined.     

Die quantitative bestimmung von alkali- und erdalkaliionen durch fällungstitration in nichtwässrigen lösungen

Precipitation titrations of the cations of salts such as sodium perchlorate, potassium hexafluoroarsenate, barium perchlorate and barium iodide, were investigated in acetone and methyl isobutyl ketone media. The titrant was a solution of lithium chloride in the same ketone and end-points were detected oscillometrically or conductometrically. The different types of titration curve found can be explained by comparing the specific conductivities of the solutions before and after titration. Barium iodide and barium perchlorate can be determined in both ketones with an error of ±1%. In the case of sodium perchlorate and potassium hexafluoroarsenate, accurate titrations are possible only in methyl isobutyl ketone media.     

Flame and flameless atomic-absorption determination of tellurium in geological materials

The sample is digested with a solution of hydrobromic acid and bromine and the excess of bromine is expelled. After dilution of the solution to approximately 3 M in hydrobromic acid, ascorbic acid is added to reduce iron(III) before extraction of tellurium into methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). An oxidizing air-acetylene flame is used to determine tellurium in the 0.1–20 ppm range. For samples containing 4–200 ppb of tellurium, a carbon-rod atomizer is used after the MIBK extract has been washed with 0.5 M hydrobromic acid to remove the residual iron. The flame procedure is useful for rapid preliminary monitoring, and the flameless procedure can determine tellurium at very low concentrations.     

Determination of flavone C-glucosides in antioxidant of bamboo leaves (AOB) fortified foods by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet diode array detection

A sensitive solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection technique was developed to quantify volatile sulfur compounds in wine. Eleven sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, ethanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide, methyl thioacetate, dimethyl disulfide, ethyl thioacetate, diethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide and methionol, can be quantified simultaneously by employing three internal standards. Calibration curves were established in a synthetic wine, and linear correlation coefficients (R2) were greater than 0.99 for all target compounds. The quantification limits for most volatile sulfur compounds were 0.5 ppb or lower, except for methionol which had a detection limit of 60 ppb. The recovery was studied in synthetic wine as well as Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay wines. Although the sulfur compounds behaved differently depending on the wine matrix, recoveries of greater than 80% were achieved for all sulfur compounds. This technique was applied to analyze volatile sulfur compounds in several commercial wine samples; methionol concentrations were found at the ppm level, while the concentrations for hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, and methyl thioacetate were at ppb levels. Only trace amounts of disulfides and trisulfides were detected, and ethanethiol was not detected.     

The extraction and determination of molybdenum as the thiocyanate complex

A method is presented for the determination of molybdenum by extraction of its thiocyanate complex with methyl isobutyl ketone. The method is accurate to ±4% or 3 μg of molybdenum, whichever is greater. The only elements which cause interference are rhenium (serious), platinum, palladium, rhodium, selenium and tellurium. The method has been applied to a number of standard samples with excellent results.     

Analytical application of organic reagents in hydrophobic gel media-IV Selective preconcentration of Cobalt(II) with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol gel

Cobalt is selectively extracted from solution onto gel beads impregnated with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol. A concentration factor of 67 has been achieved by passing 2 litres of sea water containing 0.05 ppm of cobalt over the beads at a flow-rate of 40 ml/hr. The cobalt is eluted from the beads with methyl isobutyl ketone.     

Extraction of palladium and platinum with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in various solvents from hydrochloric and hydrobromic acid media

The extraction of palladium and platinum with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in cyclohexane, chloroform, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl ether (DCDE) from hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids in dependence on the concentration of the acids and the extractant has been investigated. The obtained relation have been discussed and the possibilities of the separation of palladium, platinum, gold and their simultaneous extraction have been pointed out.     

FLAME EMISSION SPECTROMETRIC METHOD FOR NIOBIUM IN STEELS

Abstract

Following the dissolution steps, niobium(V) is extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone in the form of a heptafluoride complex. Stannous chloride is added to the aqueous solution to reduce iron(III) to an unextracted iron(II) species. The organic solution is then aspirated into a fuel-rich acetylene-oxygen flame and the emission intensity measured at 4059 Å. Optimum observation height is slightly above the tip of the blue inner cone. Detection limit is 13 μg/ml. Results are given for two steel samples.