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Triethyl amine analysis problem

Discussions about GC and other "gas phase" separation techniques.

6 posts Page 1 of 1
My problem is Triethylamine detection not possible at 40 ppm. Following is the details about GC Chromatographic condition and std/sample preparation.

Column used - DB 624 Capilary
Inj temp : 150
oven temp : 200
detector temp : 200

split ratio 1:1
carrier gas : nitrogen
injection volume 1 microlitre
I have to determined four solvents which is ethanol+ethyl acetate+methanol+triethylamine.
std prepn : ethanol +ethyl acetate +methanol + triethylamine in Dimethylsulfoxide.
spl prepn : 1 gm API in Dimethylsulfoxide

I am able to detemined other three solvents (ethanol+ethylacetate+methanol) but triethylamine at 40 ppm level not able to detect.

Any suggestion please.

NAV

Is it not possible because the peak area is not consistent, the peak is completely absent, or another reason?

Are you able to change your method settings or is it a more restricted environment?

Why are you running a 1:1 split ratio?
What is your flow rate (through the column)?

triethyl amine peak is not appearing with given concentration and at above concentration peak broadning and blent peak observed.

Method can be changed to within accepatnce criteria

Split ratio kept 1:1 because it is given in API manufacturer STP
flow rate is 10 ml/min nitrogen with column ID 0.5 MM

NAV

Check if triethylamine reacts with something (probably an acid) in your sample. Add a strong base in order to avoid this problem.

Hi This is Kalidass. This is only due to your column problem only change another new column would be better. We also analyzing the Triethylamine in HSGC method we are using N-Methyl pyrrolidone as diluent.In some of old DB-624 column the Triethylamine peak will not elute where all other residual solvent peaks elute and separate well. We are using some what new column for Triethylamine analysis.

Regards
A.Kalidass

Hi

I see a number of potential pitfalls with this analysis, apart from triethylamine being sensitive to active sites in liner or on column (however less likely on a 624 column with a thickness of 1,8-3µm).

First the injection port temperature seems derived from some default headpsace injection, it is too low for liquid injections as DMSO has a boiling point of ~189°C.

Second. Actetates (like ethylacetate) can undergo both basic and acidic hydrolysis, then we have potential matrix issue between API and the amine/acetate aswell. Consequently pH control may be needed and and standard addition calibration is strongly recommended.

Third. Column oven isothermal at 200°C. This is obviously not good from a resolution point of view/peak shape aswell. I would rather start at 40°C for a few minutes and then ramp up with 10°C/min to start with.According to litterature data this approach should resolve all you solvents nicely on that particular column type.

Fourth. Split ratio. Again it seems derived from a headspace method for residual solvent testing. Even if youi now increase injection tport temperature, the realtive huge amount of DMSO on column may smear out you peaks.

Other: I would do a standard first with only DMSO/triethylamine and see if I could get that working first. As mentioned DMSO might not be suiteble another solvent might be needed as DMF, DMI or in worst case N-methylpyrrolidone as mentioned by Kalidass. Kalidass also seems to have a headspace injection procedure that works so changing to headspace injection may also need considering.
6 posts Page 1 of 1

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