Quantitative determination of several simple perhalogenated compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for quantifying perhalogenated compounds with the general formula CxBryClz (where x = 1 or 2 and y+z = 4 or 6) by high-performance liquid chr omatography (HPLC) was developed. The interest in such a determination by H PLC is related to the use of mild conditions, avoiding possible compound de composition from the higher temperatures used in gas chromatography. Analyt ical curves were obtained using both the external calibration and the inter nal standard (CHCl3) methods. The detection limits for CBr4, CCl4, C2Br4, C 2Cl4, CBrCl3, C2Cl6 and C2Br2Cl4 were, respectively, 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 5 and 2 mg l(-1). For determination of unknown samples, the internal standard meth od is preferred as several standard solutions proved to be unstable in meth anol-water solution. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.