Determination of organotin compounds contained in aqueous samples using capillary gas chromatography

Abstract

A method for the extraction of various organotin compounds [(R₃Sn)₂O and R_nSnX_4–n; R = Me, Et, Bu, Ph; X= Cl, Br, OH, OMe; n= 2, 3] from aqueous solution and their subsequent determination is described. The compounds were initially converted into their corresponding hydrides, which were then obtained for analysis by a combination of helium purging and ether extraction of the aqueous solution. Separation of the hydrides was carried out using capillary column gas chromatography, which enabled nanogram amounts to be detected.