Unsuitability of using the DNPH-coated solid sorbent cartridge for determination of airborne unsaturated carbonyls

摘要: Measurements of aldehydes and ketones are typically conducted by derivatization using sorbent cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The collected samples eluted acetonitrile analyzed high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled an ultra-violet detector (HPLC/UV). This paper intends to examine artifacts about its suitability in identification unsaturated carbonyls. Kinetic tests for acrolein, crotonaldehyde, methacrolein methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) showed formations carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone during sampling, which could further react DNPH, resulting undesired UV absorption products [e.g., carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone-DNPH (dimer) 2 (carbonyl-DNP-hydrazone)-DNPH (trimer)]. dimerization trimerization occurred acrolein MVK whereas only crotonaldehyde methacrolein. polymerization undoubtedly affect the integrity chromatogram, leading misidentification inaccurate quantification. Whether precautions taken sampling and/or sample treatment avoid or minimize this artifact has not been thoughtfully investigated. More often, such usually overlooked scientists when data reported.