Electron chromatography

Bempong, D.K., Honigberg, I.L., and Meltzer, N.M. (1993) Separation of 13-cw and all trans retinoic acid and their photodegradation products using capillary zone electrophoresis and micellar electronic chromatography (MEC), J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal., 11, 829-833. 

The chromatogram can finally be used as the series of bands or zones of components or the components can be eluted successively and then detected by various means (e.g. thermal conductivity, flame ionization, electron capture detectors, or the bands can be examined chemically). If the detection is non-destructive, preparative scale chromatography can separate measurable and useful quantities of components. The final detection stage can be coupled to a mass spectrometer (GCMS) and to a computer for final identification. 

SAMs are generating attention for numerous potential uses ranging from chromatography [SO] to substrates for liquid crystal alignment [SI]. Most attention has been focused on future application as nonlinear optical devices [49] however, their use to control electron transfer at electrochemical surfaces has already been realized [S2], In addition, they provide ideal model surfaces for studies of protein adsorption [S3]. 

Schematic diagram of an electron capture detector for gas chromatography.

Environmental Analysis One of the most important environmental applications of gas chromatography is for the analysis of numerous organic pollutants in air, water, and wastewater. The analysis of volatile organics in drinking water, for example, is accomplished by a purge and trap, followed by their separation on a capillary column with a nonpolar stationary phase. A flame ionization, electron capture, or... 

Selectivity Because it combines separation with analysis, gas chromatography provides excellent selectivity. By adjusting conditions it is usually possible to design a separation such that the analytes elute by themselves. Additional selectivity can be provided by using a detector, such as the electron capture detector, that does not respond to all compounds. 

Analytical investigations may be undertaken to identify the presence of an ABS polymer, characterize the polymer, or identify nonpolymeric ingredients. Fourier transform infrared (ftir) spectroscopy is the method of choice to identify the presence of an ABS polymer and determine the acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene ratio of the composite polymer (89,90). Confirmation of the presence of mbber domains is achieved by electron microscopy. Comparison with available physical property data serves to increase confidence in the identification or indicate the presence of unexpected stmctural features. Identification of ABS via pyrolysis gas chromatography (91) and dsc ((92) has also been reported. 

Pesticides. Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides (qv) are often found in feed or water consumed by cows (19,20) subsequently, they may appear in the milk, where they are not permitted. Tests for pesticides are seldom carried out in the dairy plant, but are most often done in regulatory or private specialized laboratories. Examining milk for insecticide residues involves extraction of fat, because the insecticide is contained in the fat, partitioning with acetonitrile, cleanup (FlorisH [26686-77-1] column) and concentration, saponification if necessary, and determination by means of paper, thin-layer, microcoulometric gas, or electron capture gas chromatography (see Trace and residue analysis). 

Gas Chromatography. Gas chromatography is a technique utili2ed for separating volatile substances (or those that can be made volatile) between two phases, one of which is a gas. Purge-and-trap methods are frequently used for trace analysis. Various detectors have been employed in trace analysis, the most commonly used being flame ioni2ation and electron capture detectors. 

Trihalomethanes. Wherever chlorine is used as a disinfectant in drinking-water treatment, trihalomethanes (THMs) generaUy are present in the finished water. The THMs usuaUy formed are trichloromethane (chloroform), bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and tribromomethane (bromoform). There are four main techniques for the analysis of THMs headspace, Hquid— Hquid extraction (Ue), adsorption—elution (purge—trap), and direct aqueous injection. The final step in each technique involves separation by gas—Hquid chromatography with a 2 mm ID coUed glass column containing 10 wt % squalene on chromosorb-W-AW (149—177 p.m (80—100 mesh)) with detection generaUy by electron capture. 

Interaction of formaldehyde with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in acid media causes 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPhydrazone) formaldehyde formation. Gas-chromatographic analysis of 2,4-DNP-hydrazone formaldehyde toluene extract with an electron holding detector makes it possible to detect it at the level of 0,001 mg/dm. Phenol is detected in the form of tribromphenol yield, the hexane extract of which undergoes chromatography with an electron holding detector which provides the level of phenol detection of 0.001 mg/dm (the limit of quantitative detection). 

The method of detecting dimethylterephthalate (DMTP), dibuthyl-phthalate (DBP) and diocthylphthalate (DOP) in aqueous extract is based on their extraction with an organic solvent (hexane) and subsequent concentration using gas-liquid chromatography and an electron-absorbing detector. The detection limit is 0.05 mg/dirf for DMTP and DBP, and 0,01 mg/dm for DOP. 

R. Freitag, Modern Advances in Chromatography, Springer-Verlag, NY, 2002. ISBN 3540430423. [Electronic version available at http //link.springer.de/series/abe/]. 

Lipoproteins (from human plasma). Individual human plasma lipid peaks were removed from plasma by ultracentrifugation, then separated and purified by agarose-column chromatography. Fractions were characterised immunologically, chemically, electrophoretically and by electron microscopy. [Rudel et al. Biochem J 13 89 1974.]... 

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