ANALYSIS OF AMINES IN PETROLEUM

An analytical method for differentiation of primary, secondary, and te rtiary amines using exhaustive trifluoroacetylation prior to GC/MS has been developed. Using the conditions described in the report, most pr imary amines add two and secondary amines add one trifluoroacetyl grou p. In general, tertiary amines do not react. GC retention indices and relative GC/MS total ion current response factors for 102 trifluoroace tyl derivatives are reported. Examples of the application of the metho d to petroleum and coal liquid products are provided. Because of the l imited thermal stability of the derivatives of primary amines, the met hod is applicable only to distillates boiling below 370-degrees-C (700 -degrees-F).