Determination of organotins in water by micro liquid chromatography-electrospray/ion trap mass spectrometry

Due to the varying toxicity the species of organotins in their widespread applications, it is important for analytical methods to address their speciation. Traditional methods call for the hydrolysis and subsequent derivatization of the organotins before analysis. These methods can be time-consuming, derivatization can be incomplete and high levels of background interference produce difficulties in identification and quantification. The use is described of a non-derivatization and non-hydrolysis micro-liquid chromatography-electrospray/ion trap mass spectrometry for separation and detection of the organotins. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.