Simultaneous analysis of pesticides from different chemical classes by using a derivatisation step and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A 2011-11, Vol.1218 (44), p.8123-8129
• Main Authors: Raeppel, Caroline, Nief, Marie, Fabritius, Marie, Racault, Lucie, Appenzeller, Brice M., Millet, Maurice
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Aryloxyacids; Atmospheric pollution; bifenthrin; bromoxynil; buprofezin; Carbamates; carbaryl; carbofuran; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; clopyralid; cyprodinil; deltamethrin; Derivatisation; derivatization; dicamba; dichlobenil; dichlorprop; diflufenican; diuron; Exact sciences and technology; fenoxaprop; fluroxypyr; Gas chromatographic methods; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; GC–MS; Hydroxybenzonitriles; ioxynil; isoxaben; M tBSTFA; MCPA (herbicide); multiresidue analysis; myclobutanil; oryzalin; oxadiazon; Pesticides; picloram; Pollution; Pyrethroids; Pyridine derivative; samplers; solid phase microextraction; tebuconazole; triclopyr; trifluralin; Ureas
• ISSN: 0021-9673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2011.08.098

► Simultaneous analysis of different class of pesticides. ► Addition of a derivatisation agent did not affect stable pesticides. ► M tBSTFA available for the analysis of many class of pesticides by MS. ► Separation method useable for thermal-desorption application. This work presents a new method to analyse simultaneously by GC–MS 31 pesticides from different chemical classes (2,4 D, 2,4 MCPA, alphacypermethrin, bifenthrin, bromoxynil, buprofezin, carbaryl, carbofuran, clopyralid, cyprodinil, deltamethrin dicamba, dichlobenil, dichlorprop, diflufenican, diuron, fenoxaprop, flazasulfuron, fluroxypyr, ioxynil, isoxaben, mecoprop-P, myclobutanil, oryzalin, oxadiazon, picloram, tau-fluvalinate tebuconazole, triclopyr, trifluralin and trinexapac-p-ethyl). This GC–MS method will be applied to the analysis of passive samplers (Tenax ® tubes and SPME fiber) used for the evaluation of the indoor and outdoor atmospheric contamination by non-agricultural pesticides. The method involves a derivatisation step for thermo-labile or polar pesticides. Different agents were tested and M tBSTFA (N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide), a sylilation agent producing very specific fragments [M−57], was retained. However, diuron could not be derivatised and the isocyanate product was used for identification and quantification. Pesticides which did not need a derivatisation step were not affected by the presence of the derivatisation agent and they could easily be analysed in mixture with derivatised pesticides. The method can be coupled to a thermal-desorption unit or to SPME extraction for a multiresidue analysis of various pesticides in atmospheric samples.