GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

The use of high-resolution capillary columns for the separation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by gas chromatography is described. With the exception of 1,2-benz[a]anthracene and chrysene, the other PAHs, with 2-7 rings, are at least 50% resolved. The retention indices of 70 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in temperature-programmed gas chromatography have been calculated by improved linear interpolation. The efficiency of the gas chromatographic separation of PAHs was evaluated during these investigations. The accuracy and the reproducibility of the calculated retention indices and also the influence of several chromatographic parameters on the retention indices have been investigated. The gas chromatographic detection of 5 ng of 10 PAHs indicated that the glass capillary column (16 m, 2.5% SE-52) allows a limit of detection of 0.5 ng. © 1979.