ANALYSIS OF METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER IN WATER SAMPLES

Abstract

A simple and reliable method employing a solid phase microextraction procedure is proposed to analyse MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), TBA (tertiary butyl alcohol) and TBF (tertiary butyl formate) in water samples. The detection limit for the examined compounds was 0.01 ppb. A purification step with a trap containing Carbograph 4 was necessary before analysis.

Keywords:

• Gas chromatography
• Water sample analysis
• Solid phase microextraction
• MTBE
• Carbograph 4

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Dr. Alessandro Arceci for helpful cooperation and LARA for supplying the Carbograph 4 used in the purification cartridge.