Application of a unique selective PLOT capillary column for the analysis of oxygenated compounds in ambient air

Summary A new PLOT column (CP-LOWOX) designed specifically for the analysis of oxygenated compounds has been used for the gas chromatographic determination of semi-volatile carbonyl compounds. The separation behavior of the new column was investigated by comparing it with the widely used non-polar polydimethylsiloxane and polar poly(ethylene glycol) columns. The CP-LOWOX column has unique selectivity for aldehydes and ketones enabling a selective separation of these analytes from predominating hydrocarbon matrices. Application of the CP-LOWOX column for the analysis of polar compounds in ambient air is demonstrated. Sampling was performed by adsorptive enrichment coupled with thermal desorption. The suitability of Tenax TA and a multi-bed adsorbent trap Carbotrap C and Carbotrap) was tested for the sampling of semivolatile carbonyl compounds. Presented at Balaton Symposium on High Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 1–3, 1999