Optimization of a Sample Preparation Procedure for the Speciation of Organotin Compounds in Sediment Samples Using GC-AED

Abstract

Results of a comprehensive study of all analytical steps involved in the sample preparation procedure for the speciation of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in sediments are presented. The proposed method is based on acid leaching (using aqueous acetic acid) and simultaneous extraction of the ionic species into an organic solvent (n-hexane/ethyl acetate) with the addition of a complexing agent (diethyl dithiocarbamic acid). After evaporation to dryness, the residue is derivatized with sodium tetraethylborate in an aqueous buffer solution (acetate buffer, 0.1 M, pH 5) and extracted into n-hexane. Cleanup is performed over basic alumina and the ethylated organotin species are analyzed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a microwave-induced helium plasma atomic emission detector (GC-AED). The optimized method was validated within an interlaboratory study for the certification of tributyltin, triphenyltin and their degradation products in a freshwater sediment, the BCR candidate reference material 646.