Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction of urinary diethyl thiophosphate and diethyl dithiophosphate and their analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

An analytical method involving molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for the analysis of organophosphates metabolites (diethyl thiophosphate – DETP and diethyl dithiophosphate – DEDTP) in human urine samples. A DETP molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized using 4-vinylpiridine as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker. The conditioning step of the MISPE was conducted by running 3 mL of acetonitrile, 3 mL of 0.1 mol L−1 dibasic phosphate buffer at pH 11 and 2 mL of water through the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) cartridge. The extraction step was executed using 1.0 mL of a urine sample, with the pH previously adjusted to 3.0. Finally, the analytes were eluted with 3 mL of acetonitrile and derivatized with 3% 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl bromide solution at room temperature for 1 h. The sample was analyzed by GC–MS in the SIM (selected ion monitoring) mode. Analytical calibration curves for DETP and DEDTP were constructed using a pool of urine samples and six levels of concentration. The method was found to be linear from 10 to 500 μg L−1 (r > 0.99) with limits of quantification of 10 μg L−1 for both analytes. The within-day and between-day precisions were evaluated (as %RSD) and all the results were <15% for both analytes. The method was accurate (relative error < ±15%), with good robustness.

► A MIP was developed for selective extraction of dialkyl phosphates in urine samples.
► The eluate was efficiently analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
► Good figures of merit were attained.
► The method is an interesting alternative to analyze dialkyl phosphates in urine.