The Selection of Gas Chromatographic Stationary Phases and Operating Conditions for the Separation and Quantitation of Heroin and Structurally Related Compounds

Abstract

The limitations inherent in the analysis of heroin and some related narcotics using gas-liquid chromatography are discussed. A survey was made of stationary phases, and their suitability for quantitative analysis in conjunction with a flame ionisation detector was assessed in terms of (A) their ability to separate heroin, codeine, acetylcodeine, morphine, and 6-acetylmorphine and (B) the reproducibility of retention times and losses of the compounds by adsorption. Both conventional and modified liquid phases were studied and OV-210 was found to be the most suitable. A number of mixures of the above narcotics and caffeine were prepared and quantitatively analysed to demonstrate the reliability of the method.