Organic Trace Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Analytes in Environmental Samples and Biological Materials

Summary

Organic isocyanates can be determined in workplace atmospheres by bubbling them into a derivatising solution [e.g. 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (MPP)] followed by reversed-phase HPLC with electrochemical detection and UV detection in series. The LOD is 0.2 μg m⁻³ based on a 10-dm³ sample and a 10-μ1 injection volume and the ratio of detection responses can be used to provide additional qualitative information about the chemical nature of the particular isocyanate when retention data are deemed inadequate.