Thermal desorption-gas chromatography is reported as a rapid, efficien
t and sensitive method for separating and determining the trace volati
le organic impurities in drugs with a detection limit of 23 nmol. The
optimum operating conditions were found and CHCl3 in atropine sulfate
and caffeine was determined with satisfactory results. This method is
suitable for determining trace volatile impurities in solid samples an
d high-boiling liquid samples.