Voltage effects in a d.c. electron capture detector

Abstract

The effects of various constant potentials on reaction and response of typical model compounds were measured by a commercial electron capture detector (ECD). The effluents from this detector were separated by a second gas chromatographic column and detected by a second ECD. This arrangement allowed to distinguish between the parent substances and their products (where such could be detected), and to estimate how much of the parent substance has been consumed in the first ECD. Model substances included a variety of biologically active compounds that are usually determined by electron capture gas chromatography, such as chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. While all compounds shared a common voltage profile pattern, product formation depended on the individual structures. Potential mechanistic and analytical uses of the simple dual-channel system are indicated.