| Abstract: | An automated HPLC method is presented which combines on-line ion-pair extraction on small exchangeable RP-C18 precolumns (RP-IPE) with ion-pair chromatography (RP-IPC). Weakly acidic herbicides — carboxylic acids, phenols, and the N-H acidic bentazone — and strong acids, e.g. aromatic sulfonic acids, can be determined simultaneously. Performance data are given. The tetrabutylammonium ion pairs of all investigated compounds are readily transferred from the RP-C18 precolumn to the analytical column by a phosphate buffer/methanol gradient. This is also true for the chlorinated phenoxy acids which, in earlier off-line extraction experiments, could not be desorbed from the RP-C18 material by the lower polar acetone. The RP-IPC is carried out at neutral pH where weakly acidic compounds appear in their stronger UV absorbing dissociated form. Compared to conventional reversed phase chromatography using an acidified eluent, the sensitivity of UV detection is markedly enhanced, especially for the phenol herbicides and bentazone. In addition, phenols can be detected more selectively because they show a second intense absorption band in the wavelength range between 280 nm and 290 nm, where there are only little interferences with the matrix. Due to miniaturization and automation, the online combination IPE/IPC allows a large sample throughput at a lower consumption of solid phase material and organic solvents. Time consuming manual steps are totally missing. The IPE/IPC technique is well suited as a screening method for fate studies of polar micropollutants, e. g. for monitoring the efficiency of different water treatment technologies. An example for balancing an activated carbon filter is presented. |
