Sulfur compounds.

[pueblito]

Dear chromatographers.
I would like to know if a FID detector could detect the S6 form of sulfur , or any other form of elemental sulfur that could elute on a DRO range for a common column such as MXT-1 o DB-5 . As far as I know FID produces signal only to C-H compounds.

Thank you very much.

[chemviren]

h

[chromatographer1]

There is also the Helium ionization detector, see AIC or Valco or Gow-Mac, for details.

These can be easily installed in many GCs.

best wishes,

Rod

[AICMM]

Pueblito,

An FID should NOT work for this application due to the lack of C-H bonds. An HID will probably not work in this application (did I really say that!) because the DRO range will have way too many interferences to be able to pick out the S6. SCD, as noted, is a good possibility if you have the money. You might also consider either a couple of other options depending on budget and skill level. FPD, PFPD and heartcutting would all provide you with possible solutions. FPD and PFPD may all be subject to quench with too much DRO and that is why a heartcut may be required. I don't have a Kovat's for S6 so I cannot say for sure but I suspect from past experience the S6 will be squarely in the DRO.

Best regards,

AICMM

[chromatographer1]

with the right packed column it will elute around methane.

Rod

[mckrause]

FIDs respond to compounds that produce positive ions in a H2/O2 flame. It is quite possible that S6, or other cyclic S compounds, will delocalize a charge sufficiently to become positively charged. They respond quite well on a MS in electron impact mode, so it is not out of the question that you would get them to respond in a FID if the concentrations are sufficiently high.

[chromatographer1]

Historically SF6 gives almost no response even at percent levels.

Rod

[chemviren]

h

[chromatographer1]

Thanks for correcting me.

Rod