Dispersive solid-phase extraction for in-sorbent Fourier-transform infrared detection and identification of nerve agent simulants in analysis for verification of chemical weapon convention.

The combination of dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is presented for detection and quantification of markers and simulants of nerve agents. Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) sorbent was used for extraction and enrichment of organophosphonates from water. When the extraction efficiency of DSPE was compared with that of conventional solid-phase extraction (SPE), DSPE was more efficient. Extraction conditions such as extraction time, and type and quantity of sorbent material were optimized. In DSPE, extracted analytes are detected and quantified on the sorbent using FTIR as analytical technique. Absorbance in FTIR due to P-O-C stretching was used for detection and quantification. Infrared absorbance of different analytes were compared by determining their molar absorptivities (ε (max)). Quantitative analyses were performed employing modified Beer's law, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intraday repeatability and interday reproducibility were found to be in the range 0.30-0.90% and 0.10-0.80% respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was 5-10 μg mL(-1). The applicability of the method was tested with an unknown sample prepared by mimicking the sample obtained in an international official proficiency test.