Identification of Submicrogram Quantities of Onium Compounds by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography

Abstract

Pyrolysis of submicrogram quantities of alkyl onium halides in a nitrogen stream results in dealkylation. The resulting products can be resolved and identified by gas chromatography. The method is applicable to quaternary ammonium compounds containing alkyl groups as large as heptyl, to heterocyclic quaternary nitrogen compounds, and to the non-nitrogen onium compound, trimethylsulfonium.