Trace analysis of 2,6-disubstituted anilines in blood by capillary gas chromatography

A simple, rapid, and sensitive procedure for the detection of 2,6-disubstituted anilines in the low nanogram range in blood is described. These aromatic amines were extracted from blood and converted to the corresponding N-hepta-fluorobutyramides, which were confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The derivatives yielded excellent electron capture detection (ECD) responses that allowed the identification and detection of these compounds at the low nanogram level by glass capillary GC/ECD. The procedure, which was tested in an in vivo system, is suitable for pharmacokinetic studies and toxicological investigations, and may be adapted for the quantitative determination of other substituted anilines and similar compounds in blood and other body fluids.