Amines: Gas Chromatography

This chapter describes the general principles underlying the derivatization of aliphatic and aromatic amines to volatile compounds, including separation columns and selective detectors for gas chromatography (GC) of underivatized and derivatized amines. Amines of lower molecular mass are usually volatile enough for direct GC analysis. Amines are usually derivatized to protect amino groups, to increase volatility, to form diastereomers, and to improve chromatographic properties. These amines can be separated using high efficiency GC capillary columns and selectively and sensitively detected using thermionic and mass selective detectors.