Determination of Dicarbonyl Compounds in Ambient Fine Particles by Liquid Chromatography after 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine Derivative

A method for detecting dicarbonyl compounds in atmospheric PM2.5 was established using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) after derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The sample collection (time, flow rate, etc.), preparation, and analysis of dicarbonyl compounds were evaluated taking glyoxal and methylglyoxal as examples. The results showed that the dicarbonyl compounds in filter samples could be effectively eluted with 3 mL derivatization agent including 0.25 mM HCl and 30 μL saturated DNPH-acetonitrile solution and 3 mL acetonitrile. The elution efficiency of the PM2.5 filters was higher when the sampling time was less than 12 h. The method was applied to measure the fine particles of dicarbonyl compounds in the ambient air of Shanghai University, Baoshan and Dongping National Forest Park, Chongming, Shanghai.