Evaluation of 9-Methylamino-Methylanthracene as a Chemical Label for Total Reactive Isocyanate Group: A Comparison of Mono- and Di-Isocyanate Monomers

Abstract 9-Methylamino-methylanthracene (MAMA) is a secondary amine compound commonly used for derivatization and quantitation of specific commercial isocyanate compounds by HPLC with detection by fluorescence and ultra-violet light absorbance. The determination of airborne total reactive isocyanate group (TRIG) compounds arising from partially polymerized polyurethanes and thermal decomposition products of fully cured polyurethanes is of interest in industrial hygiene. The potential application of MAMA to the measurement of TRIG has been evaluated using a series of 11 model isocyanate compounds, including aliphatic and aromatic, mono-, and diisocyanates. After synthesis, purification, and characterization, the 11 isocyanate-MAMA urea derivatives were analyzed by reversed phase HPLC using three detection / quantitation modes: fluorescence with excitation at 245 nm and emission at 414 nm, and UV absorbance at 245 and 370 nm. ANOVA of the observed response factors showed statistically significant difference...