Gas Chromatographic–Mass Spectrometric Method for Quantitation of Trimethylsilyl Derivatives of Nerve Agent Degradation Products in Human Plasma, Using Strong Anion–Exchange Solid-Phase Extraction

Abstract

For unequivocal proof of the use of nerve agents such as sarin, soman, cyclohexylsarin, VX, and Russian VX, a simple and accurate method, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) after trimethylsilyl derivatization, was explored for simultaneous determination of the corresponding alkyl methylphosphonic acids (AMPAs) and of methylphosphonic acid (MPA) in human plasma. GC–MS analysis was performed after solid-phase extraction, with a strong anion-exchange cartridge, from plasma samples previously deproteinized with mercuric acetate, and then derivatization with bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide containing 5% trimethylchlorosilane. All five AMPA derivatives and the MPA derivative were separated to baseline within 11 minutes without interference. Linear calibration plots were obtained over concentrations ranging from 50 ng mL⁻¹ to 5 µg mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviation of recoveries ranged from 1.9 to 9.7% and detection limits were 22 ng mL⁻¹ or below.