Ionic liquids as stationary phases in gas chromatography: determination of chlorobenzenes in soils

The present research focuses on the evaluation of different ionic liquid (IL) stationary phases in gas chromatography. The different IL columns were evaluated in terms of peak resolution (Rs) and peak symmetry for the separation of the chlorobenzenes. The determination of chlorobenzenes in soil samples by means of the optimal IL stationary phase (SLB-IL82) is proposed as an application. Soil pretreatment was based on a simplified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction procedure and a large injection volume via a programed temperature vaporizer working in solvent vent mode. The retention time of the chlorobenzenes increased as the polarity of the IL column decreased. SLB-IL82 is the stationary phase that provides the best values as regards Rs and asymmetry factor. Soil sample blanks were spiked with the analytes before subjecting the sample to the extraction process. The existence of a matrix effect was checked and the analytical characteristics of the method were determined in a fortified garden soil sample. The method provided good linearity, good repeatability and reproducibility values, and the LODs were in the 0.1-4.7 μg/kg range. Two fortified soil samples were applied to validate the proposed methodology.