High performance liquid chromatographic determination of methyl ethyl ketone in urine as its 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone derivative

Summary A HPLC method for the determination of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in urine after derivatization with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone is proposed. The calibration curve for the ketone was linear, ranging between 0.23–10 mg/L, with a detection limit of 0.025 mg/L. The results were compared to those obtained by GC-MS, coupled to the headspace technique. MEK derivatization and the derivative purification processes were verified with respect to the main variables such as reaction temperature, reagent concentration, probable interferences and enrichment phase. The method is simple and reliable and shows a good sensitivity.