Solid phase extraction and thermal desorption of acetophenone and m-cresolusing superheated water or steam as the sole eluent

Steam or superheated water can be used to efficiently elute moderately pola r and non-polar compounds from polymeric sorbents at temperatures up to 220 degrees C without degradation of the analyte. Acetophenone and m-cresol, a s model compounds, have been concentrated from dilute aqueous solutions, us ing solid phase extraction (SPE) traps packed with polystyrene-divinylbenze ne (PS-DVB) or poly(divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone). The technique of fers low cost, ease of use and an environmentally friendly eluent.