Quantification of nitrogen compounds in diesel fuel samples by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry

Abstract

Although several methods for the analysis of nitrogen compounds in diesel fuel have been described in the literature, the demand for rapid, sensitive, and robust analyses has increased in recent years. In this study, a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic method was developed for the identification and quantification of nitrogen compounds in diesel fuel samples. The quantification was performed using the standard addition method and the analysis was conducted using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with fast quadrupole mass spectrometry. This study is the first to report quantification of nitrogen compounds in diesel fuel samples using the standard addition method without fractionation. This type of analysis was previously performed using many laborious separation steps, which can lead to errors and losses. The proposed method shows good linearity for target nitrogen compounds evaluated (m-toluidine, 4-ethylaniline, indole, 7-methylindole, 7-ethylindole, carbazole, isoquinoline, 4-methylquinoline, benzo[h]quinolone, and acridine) over a range from 0.05 to 2.0 mg/L, and limits of detection and quantification of <0.06 and 0.16 mg/L, respectively, for all nitrogen compounds studied.

Determination and validation of simultaneous derivatization and dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction method for analysis of nitrate and nitrite contents as nitrate ions in onion and potato samples

“…Between these compounds nitrate and nitrite are known as the most hazardous and toxic polyatomic ions [3]. The major origins of nitrate and nitrite in environment are from manufacturing waste, urban sewage, and artificial fertilizers [4‐6]. Naturally, vegetables and fruits use nitrate as an important nutrient and interestingly its consumption via these media converts this anionic species to nitrite through the digestive process [7].…”

Characterization of Organic Nitrogen Compounds and Their Impact on the Stability of Marginally Stable Diesel Fuels

“…Current multidimensional chromatography (GCxGC) methods provide compositional maps based on polarity, using columns with orthogonal column chemistries that offer a more comprehensive means to isolate fuel constituents on the basis of polarity, without the losses inherent in liquid–liquid extraction procedures. Although it is possible to analyze nitrogen-containing compounds with GCxGC-MS, the low concentrations of those compounds in fuels, as well as the complex sample matrix, make identifications difficult. , A nitrogen detector such as an NPD or an NCD can be utilized with gas chromatography to characterize the organonitrogen compounds in fuels . In this work, an optimized liquid extraction procedure, similar to that used in the 1982 study, was used to separate BNC and NBNC fractions from marginally unstable fuels.…”

“…Although it is possible to analyze nitrogencontaining compounds with GCxGC-MS, the low concentrations of those compounds in fuels, as well as the complex sample matrix, make identifications difficult. 16,17 A nitrogen detector such as an NPD or an NCD can be utilized with gas chromatography to characterize the organonitrogen compounds in fuels. 18 In this work, an optimized liquid extraction procedure, similar to that used in the 1982 study, was used to separate BNC and NBNC fractions from marginally unstable fuels.…”

Potential of GC-Combustion-MS as a Powerful and Versatile Nitrogen-Selective Detector in Gas Chromatography

“…Alternatively, mass spectrometry (MS) provides universal detection and structural identification as well as compound-selective detection when operated in single-ion monitoring (SIM). Unfortunately, this mode is highly limited in complex samples for the screening of specific families of compounds, such as N-containing ones, due to chromatographic coelutions and isobaric interferences in MS. 15 Additionally, the ionization process in MS is compounddependent, which entails the need for specific standards to carry out the quantification of every individual N-containing target. 16 A new detection system in GC able to provide generic carbon-based universal quantification of organic compounds while maintaining the structural elucidation capabilities of MS by simply actuating a switching valve was introduced in 2009.…”