Abstract

The analysis of carbonyls in ambient air has received a great deal of scientific attention with the advancement of analytical techniques and increased demand for the build-up of its data base. In this review article, we have attempted to provide some insight into the relative performance of different instrumental approaches available for the analysis of ambient carbonyls with a major emphasis on high performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic methods. Reported in several international standard procedures, derivatization of carbonyls with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) with either an impinger or cartridges is the most commonly used method of HPLC detection. In this respect, a number of alternative hydrazine reagents have also been discussed for use with HPLC. In contrast, GC methods based on the combined application of adsorptive enrichment on solid sorbents and thermal desorption are examined with regard to their suitability for carbonyl analysis in air. Particular emphasis has been directed towards the advantages and drawbacks of these different instrumental techniques for ambient carbonyls. Based on this comparative approach, we discuss the suitability for each method for carbonyl analysis.