Microporous membrane liquid-liquid extraction technique combined with gas chromatography mass spectrometry for the determination of organotin compounds

A sample clean-up and enrichment method based on microporous membrane liqui d-liquid extraction (MMLLE) in a how system was developed for the determina tion of organotin (CYT) compounds in complex matrices. Ionic OT compounds i n the aqueous sample were derivatised off-line using sodium tetraethylborat e (NABEt(4)). Then, the sample solution was pumped through the donor channe l of a membrane device holding a hydrophobic microporous membrane. The pore s of the membrane and acceptor channel of the device were filled with an or ganic solvent (isooctane). OT species were extracted into the stagnant acce ptor phase. The OT species in these MMLLE extracts were separated and analy sed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the selected ion mon itoring mode. The detection limits (LODs) (3 x noise) of the method for a 3 0 mi water sample ranged between 13 and 265 ng l(-1) for various OT species . (C)2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.