Study on the vaporisation of sulphur-containing amino acids in a hydrogen flame by use of molecular emission cavity analysis and liquid chromatography

Abstract Peak splitting of the S 2 emission response from sulphur-containing amino acids in molecular emission cavity analysis is investigated. The primary reaction of the compounds in a hydrogen flame is found to be desulphurization by the determination of non-volatile products remaining in a cavity, using liquid chromatography. The mechanism of peak-splitting is suggested on the basis of the rapidity of the desulphurization and the amphoteric property of the amino acids. It is discussed that the desulphurization is hydrodesulphurization rather than the radical cleavage due to the weakness of the C-S bond.