ARS | Publication request: DETERMINATION OF DIMETHYLSELENIDE AND DIMETHYLDISELENIDE BY GAS CHROMOTOGRAPHY- PHOTOIONIZATION DETECTION

Submitted to: Journal of Chromatography
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 4, 2004
Publication Date: June 4, 2004
Citation: Hunter, W.J. 2003. Determination of dimethylselenide and dimethyldiselenide by gas chromotography- photoionization delection. Journal of Chromatography. 1038: 295-297.

Interpretive Summary: While selenium is an essential nutrient it is also one of the most toxic elements in the environment. Its presence in toxic amounts presents both a health risk to both humans and animals. For this reason it is important that the movement of selenium compounds through to environment be followed. This paper describes a simple method for the determination of volatile selenium compounds. The method employs a gas chromatograph equipped with a photoionization detector. The method is simple in that no chemical derivatization of the sample was required and sensitive in that the photoionization detector was capable of detecting 0.92 pmole of dimethylselenide and 1.33 pmole dimethyldiselenide. Sensitivity was 10 to 50 times greater with dimethylselenide and 4 to 20 times greater with dimethyldiselenide when the photoionization detector was employed than when the flame ionization detector was employed.

Technical Abstract: A simple method for the determination of volatile selenium compounds employing a gas chromatograph equipped with a photoionization detector is described. The method involves the direct injection of dimethylselenide (DMS) or dimethyldiselenide (DMDS) into the gas chromatograph; no derivatization of the sample was required. The photoionization detector was capable of detecting 100 pg (0.92 pmole) of DMS and 250 pg (1.33 pmole) DMDS. Sensitivity was 10 to 50 times greater with DMS and 4 to 20 times greater with DMDS when the photoionization detector was employed than when the flame ionization detector was employed.