Determination of anthraquinone in a photometric detector

Abstract

Anthraquinone can be determined, following gas chromatographic separation, by photometry of its luminescence in excited nitrogen. The spectrum consists of some broad bands, the most prominent of which peak at 460–480 nm. The minimum detectable amount (S/N=2), using a packed column, is surprisingly low at ca. 0.5 pg or 0.24 fmol/s (2.4×10⁻¹⁶mol/s); the linear range spans three to four orders of magnitude; and the detector is capable of operating under temperature-programmed GC conditions.

While anthraquinone is the strongest responding analyte of its kind, similar though somewhat weaker responses are produced by certain types of aroyl compounds. All other tested groups of organics give only extremely weak, negative responses (decreases in background luminescence) at some 10⁵ to 10⁶ higher concentrations. Quenching of anthraquinone luminescence can occur: As a typical example, a 50% reduction in response is produced by a ca. 100 ppmv/v level of co-elutingn-butane in the nitrogen carrier (a more than millionfold weight excess for a 1 pg peak of anthraquinone).