Development of chromatographic methods to monitor the synthesis of (tributylstannyl)methanol through unstable lithiated intermediates

Simple and robust derivatization methods for monitoring the formation of (t ributylstannyl)methanal from tributyltin hydride via unstable lithiated int ermediates have been developed and validated. These analytes present both c hromatographic and detection difficulties in their native states due to low volatility, poor aqueous solubility/stability, and lack of a chromophore. Derivatization of these analytes to trimethylsilyl analogues for gas chroma tographic analysis or to benzenesulfonyl urethane analogues for reversed-ph ase liquid chromatographic analysis was evaluated. The derivatization/gas c hromatographic methods developed were demonstrated to be more specific and sensitive for impurity monitoring during (tributylstannyl)methanol preparat ion. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.