Separation of carbonyl 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones by capillary electrochromatography with diode array detection

The applicability of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) with photodiode array detection for the analysis of carbonyl hydrazones is presented. The CEC separation of thirteen hydrazones was optimized by a systematic variation of conditions using a commercially available CE system and a 3-micron porous C18-bonded silica capillary column. The separation profile obtained under optimal isocratic conditions (60% actonitrile-4% tetrahydrofuran-5 mM Tris, pH 8) is similar to those reported for gradient HPLC, with significant improvements in efficiency (to 150,000-250,000 theoretical plates/m) and analysis time (by a factor of 4). The retention time reproducibility is better than 0.2% (RSD) from run to run and 1% from day to day. The limits of detection for individual carbonyl hydrazones range between 0.1 and 0.5 microgram/ml. Applications to ambient air and automobile exhaust are shown.