Determination of 11 Phthalic Acid Esters in Soil by Accelerated Solvent Extraction-Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive and convenient method based on accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of 11 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in soil. The optimized conditions were as follows: By using n-hexane as the extraction solvent, spiked sample was extracted by ASE at 160 degrees C for 4 times, 12 min for each time. The extract was concentrated by evaporation. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out by the multiple reaction monitoring mode after the chromatographic separation with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), using acetonitrile -0. 1% formic acid water as mobile phase. The limits of detection (LODs) for 11 PAEs were between 0. 03 - 13. 0 mu g/kg. The recoveries and relative standard deviations were 72. 8% - 101. 8% and 1. 7-6. 7%, respectively. This method is rapid, sensitive and suitable for the determination of PAEs in soil.