Investigation of the determination of tin tetraalkyls and alkyltin chlorides by atomic-absorption spectrometry after separation by gas-liquid or high-performance liquid-liquid chromatography

Abstract

A variety of sample presentation and atomisation methods have been examined to obtain sufficient sensitivity for the trace determination of tin tetraalkyls and alkyltin chlorides (R_nSnCl_4–n; R = methyl or ethyl; n= 1–4) after their separation by gas-liquid or by high-performance liquid-liquid chromatography. Detection limits range from 10–20 µg (flame atomisation) to 1 µg (direct pyrolysis) and 2–20 pg (hydride reduction followed by direct pyrolysis). The construction of systems including an automated hydride generator is described.