Determination of aromatic amines as their N-dimethylthiophosphoryl derivatives by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

A selective and sensitive method was developed for the determination of aromatic amines by gas chromatography (GC). Aromatic amines were converted into their N-dimethylthiophosphoryl derivatives and measured by GC with flame photometric detection using two-connected fused-silica capillary column containing DB-1 and DB-17, respectively. The derivatives were sufficiently volatile and stable to give single symmetrical peaks. The calibration graphs for aromatic amines in the range 25-2000 ng were linear and the detection limits at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were ca. 30-100 pg injected. This method was successfully applied to smoke samples without prior clean-up. Overall recoveries of aromatic amines added to cigarette smoke samples were 90-108%. Analytical results for the contents of aromatic amines in combustion smokes of various samples are presented.