Improved sensitivity of headspace gas chromatography for organic aromatic compounds

Abstract

The effect of adding an electrolyte and increasing the temperature on the preconcentration of volatile compounds in headspace analysis has been investigated. Quantification of the interactive effects of temperature and addition of salt on the vapor concentration is of interest for the determination of trace organic impurities in pharmaceutical base materials. This study was undertaken to investigate the quantitative effects of the addition of salts alcohols, and acetone, and of increasing the temperature on the vapor concentrations and distribution coefficients of volatile aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, ando-xylene). It was found that the concentration of aromatic compound residues in the headspace could be increased by adding an inert salt to the water, but this effect was not very significant because of the low orginal solubility of the aromatic compounds in water. The reverse effect can be achieved by use of polar organic additives; this can be explained by the high polarizability of aromatic compounds and their greater solubility in the presence of these solvents.