Solubility parameter used to predict the effectiveness of monolithic in-needle extraction (MINE) device for the direct analysis of liquid samples

The sorbent/eluent systems combined from three macroporous poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) monoliths and four solvents as eluents were used for the extraction of phenol, 4-chlorophenol and p-benzochinon from water samples. Monolithic in-needle extraction (MINE) devices were used in the preparation of a series of test water samples for chromatographic analysis. The extraction of phenolic compounds from water samples was carried out by pumping liquid samples through the MINE device. Solubility parameter concept was applied for estimation of effectiveness of MINE. Solubility parameters for (PS-DVB) monoliths were determined according to Small, considering different molar fraction of the monomers used for synthesis. Effectiveness of these systems was estimated according to difference of solubility parameter value in analyte/sorbent, sorbent/eluent, analyte/eluent pairs. The procedure enabling easy prediction of, e.g. the strength of the interactions between the analyte and sorbent, eluent efficiency or the extraction efficiency in MINE system was proposed.