Formaldehyde by GC/MS

[sergioanis]

hi everyone,

is it possible to analyze formaldehyde by extracting it from the headspace with SPME (which one?), run with GC (which column?) and detect the formaldehyde by MS (EI)?

Literature search shows that everybody use some type of derivatization. The problem is that the matrix (commertial sugar) is interfering. The only 'clean' way I can see is by extracting it from the vapor phase. I tried using CAR/PDMS and DVB/CAR/PDMS but I was unable to see any peak.

thanks for your help
Sergio

[Consumer Products Guy]

Have you tried the time-honored acetylacetone Hantzsch/Nash reaction to form the lutidine derivative, and measure by spectrophotometer? It's pretty specific for formaldehyde. Formaldejyde likes to stay in the water, and is very reactive. GC and/or GCMS would be tough.

[sergioanis]

I didn't try that one, and it may work. Unfortunately, I was discourage of trying it because it is not a method known/accepted by FDA and we'll have hard time validating the results.
Also yesterday we found out that some headspace samplers can take a sample and injecting it into a cartridge that contains the derivatization reagent, then you analize the cartridge by LC. Our manager decided to follow this approach, so it seems that our problem is 'solved'

thanks for your advice
Sergio