Determination of Halogenated Anilines and Related Compounds by HPLC with Electrochemical and UV Detection

Abstract

Halogenated anilines may enter the environment from a variety of sources, including metabolism of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides; industrial waste; and reduction of nitrosubstituted aromatic compounds. The toxicity of anilines requires that these compounds be monitored in the environment. Previous methods using gas chromatography required derivatization and were unable to separate some of the halogenated metabolites. An HPLC method has been developed that allows separation and detection of sub-nanogram quantities without derivatization. The separation of these compounds was accomplished on a commercially available C-18 bonded phase column. Sub-nanogram quantities were detected using an inexpensive electrochemical detector. A faster, but less sensitive UV method was also developed. Chromatograms and sensitivity data for the various compounds are presented. The applications and limitations of the electrochemical detector are discussed.