DETERMINATION OF SECONDARY-AMINES AS HIGHLY FLUORESCENT FORMAMIDINES BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Aliphatic secondary amines were derivatized with the non-fluorescent r eagent, ioxo-2-p-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline in a simple and fast two step reaction via thioureas to highly fluorescent formam idines. Derivatives were separated by reversed phase liquid chromatogr aphy by using acetonitrile/phosphate buffer as the mobile phase. The l imits of detection (S:N=3) ranged from 200 to 300fmol (20 mu l injecte d). A method for the determination of dimethylamine, piperidine and di ethanolamine in spiked acidic aqueous samples is given, after the deco mposition of their N-nitroso derivatives.