On-column catalysis of hydratization equilibria during liquid chromatographic analysis of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde

The aldehydes were separated by reversed phase chromatography on a polymer-based support. Acid catalysis on the column was needed to obtain sufficiently fast equilibrium between acetaldehyde and its hydrate. Deuterium labeled acetaldehyde (D3) yielded complete separation from the nonlabeled compound, probably due to a difference in hydratization. Fluorescent products were obtained by reaction between the aldehydes and a mixture of ammonia and dimedone (5.5-dimethyl-1.3-cyclohexanedione). The fluorescence was detected at 460 nm after excitation at 390 nm. A reaction time of 42 seconds at 90°C in a knitted teflon capillary produced detection limits of 0.5 and 1 ng for acetaldehyde and formeldehyde, respectively. A method for preparation of a stable reagent with low background fluorescence is described.