Applications of selective complexation by a europium(III) coordination polymer sorbent for the pre-fractionation of volatile compounds

Abstract

Non-volatile coordination polymers of the lanthanides can be formed from the reaction of the metal salt with a bis(β-diketonate) ligand. The resulting polymer is incorporated into the stationary phase of a small, pre-analytical column and used selectively to retain nucleophilic organic compounds through complexation. Compounds which do not form complexes, or form weak complexes, are eluted through the pre-column and analyzed by high resolution capillary gas chromatography. The retained compounds are subsequently removed from the pre-column by heating, which dissociates the complex. Carrier gas seeps the pre-column and the presorbed compounds are deposited in the analytical column for analysis as a separate fraction. The technique is applied here to the separation of complex forming and non-complex forming components arising from volativel urinary metabolites and gasoline decomposition products.