CHARACTERIZATION OF 3 AROCLOR MIXTURES USING A NEW CYANOBIPHENYL STATIONARY-PHASE

The retention characteristics of all 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB ) congeners were determined on a new p,p-cyanobiphenyl stationary phas e using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). R esponse factors were determined relative to decachlorobiphenyl, PCB 20 9. Several congeners that coelute on the phases routinely used for PCB analysis are separated on this phase, including the hexachlorobipheny ls 138, 163, and 164. The p,p-cyanobiphenyl stationary phase exhibits altered retention for planar congeners, such that the toxic coplanar P CBs 77, 126, and 169 are eluted free from interference. Of the 209 con geners, 61 were separated using the p,p-cyanobiphenyl phase in conjunc tion with GC-ECD. When analyzed by gas chromatography with mass select ive detection (GC-MSD), the number of congeners determined increased t o 133. Therefore GC-MSD was used with the p,p-cyanobiphenyl phase to c haracterize three PCB mixtures: Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1254, and Aroclo r 1260.