Abstract
A new method for the separation of organic antimony as trimethylantimony dichloride (TMSbCl2) and inorganic Sb(V) and Sb(III) by using anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is presented. In comparison with previous work the detection limits for both species were significantly decreased, down to 5 ngL–1, mainly by avoiding any contamination from the chromatographic device. Using an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) improved the detection limits for inorganic Sb species, but was useless for the HPLC method due to problems in the recovery of the TMSbCl2. Matrix interferences of the chromatographic determination were studied in detail and the method was applied to environmental samples assumed to contain organic antimony species. Additionally, the molecular structure of the TMSbCl2 in solution was studied by using electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) showing that this species occurs most probably as [TMSbOH]+ in aqueous solutions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 22 September 1997 / Revised: 21 November 1997 / Accepted: 27 November 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lintschinger, J., Schramel, O. & Kettrup, A. The analysis of antimony species by using ESI-MS and HPLC-ICP-MS. Fresenius J Anal Chem 361, 96–102 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160050841
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160050841