Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis of phenylurea herbicides and their degradation products using an atmospheric pressure ionization interface

Abstract

A method was developed for the determination of two phenylurea herbicides and their degradation products using liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-mass spectrometry without any additives in the mobile phase. The APCI detection sensitivity of these compounds was maximized when the vaporizer temperature was set at 250 °C and a positive-ion detection mode was chosen. Under these conditions, the detection limits (S/N = 3) of these compounds in total-ion and selected-ion monitoring were 2.5–3.0 and 0.12–0.26 ng, respectively. In a biodegradability test on diuron, small quantities of degradation products could be determined by the proposed method.

References

1. Nouyaku no Kankyoutokusei to Dokusei Detasyu, ed. Kanazawa, J., Godo, Tokyo, 1996, pp. 133 and 210.
2. J. Tekel' and J. Kovačičová, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 643, 291.
3. H. A. Moye, in Analysis of Pesticide Residues, ed. Moye, H. A., Wiley, New York, 1981, pp. 157–198.
4. L. Muszkat and N. Aharonson, in Analytical Methods for Pesticides and Plant Growth Regulators, vol. XIV, ed. Zweig, G., and Sherma, J., Academic Press, Orlando, 1986, pp. 95–132.
5. M. Linscheid and D. G. Westmoreland, Pure Appl. Chem., 1994, 66, 1913.
6. J. Slobodník, B. L. M. van Baar and U. A. Th. Brinkman, J. Chromatogr. A, 1995, 703, 81.
7. M. J. Incorvia Mattina, J. Chromatogr., 1991, 549, 237.
8. R. D. Voyksner, J. T. Bursey and E. D. Pellizzari, Anal. Chem., 1984, 56, 1507.
9. D. Barceló and J. Albaigés, J. Chromatogr., 1989, 474, 163.
10. H. Bagheri, E. R. Brouwer, R. T. Ghijsen and U. A. Th. Brinkman, Analusis, 1992, 20, 475.
11. C. Molina, G. Durand and D. Barceló, J. Chromatogr. A., 1995, 712, 113.
12. Modified MITI Test (I), in OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals, 1981.