RELATIONSHIP OF STRUCTURE TO SENSITIVITY IN ELECTRON CAPTURE ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES

The selective analysis of halogenated pesticides using the electron capture detector is both widely and routinely practiced. Much investigation concerning the evaluation of electron capture detectors and the collection of absolute and relative sensitivity values for pesticide chemicals have been reported in the literature. Owing to the structural diversity of pesticides, however, discrete sensitivity correlations have proven difficult A technique is suggested which, properly qualified, might aid in the delineation of relative quantitative contributions of molecular moieties to the electron capturing capacity of the pesticide molecule, and thereby assist in structure-sensitivity interpretations. This approach is applicable as well to the evaluation of nonpesticidal compounds possessing electron capturing capabilities.