Analysis of aromatic amines as N-propoxycarbonyl derivatives by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection.

A selective and sensitive method for the analysis of aromatic amines by GC was developed. Aromatic amines were converted to their N-n-propoxycarbonyl derivatives and measured by GC with nitrogen-phosphorus selective detection (NPD) using an HP-5 fused-silica capillary column. The derivatives of the 20 aromatic amines provided excellent NPD responses, and were resolved both quantitatively and reproducibly within 15 min. The calibration curves for aromatic amines in the range 20-500 ng were linear and the detection limits at an S/N of 3 were ca. 19-139 pg injected. This method was applied successfully to combustion smoke and human urine samples, and analyzed without any interference from coexisting substances.