Vacuum ultraviolet absorbance (VUV) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing the vibronic transitions of organic and inorganic compounds in the wavelength region of 125-240nm. Until recently, this technique has been limited to niche research applications, mostly due to difficulty obtaining high quality absorbance spectra in this wavelength region. Recent advances in vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy have allowed for the first ever application of this technology for chromatographic systems. The GC-VUV detector produces highly characteristic absorbance spectra for nearly all chemical species in the wavelength region of 125-240 nm. This system allows not only for identification but also for robust quantitation of a variety of compounds separable by gas chromatography, including water. Accurate determination of the water content of organic solvents is critical for applications in synthetic organic chemistry, specialty chemical manufacturing and quality assurance. Traditionally the water content of materials including organic solvents has been determined using Karl Fischer Titration or GC TCD, however both of these techniques are limited in sensitivity, reproducibility and ease of use. GC-VUV offers a powerful, yet simple alternative for the determination of water in organic solvents while also allowing for unique spectral identification of other chemical components in the sample via the measurement of characteristic VUV absorbance spectra. We present here a robust, rapid and validated method for water determination in a variety of organic solvents on a variety of GC column stationary phases. This methodology has the potential to transform the way routine analysis of water content is conducted.

Gas chromatography-vacuum ultraviolet absorbance spectroscopy for quantitation of trace and bulk water in organic solvents: An emerging alternative to Karl Fischer titration

252nd National Meeting (2016)

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