USE OF 2,6-DINITRO-4-TRIFLUOROMETHYLBENZENESULFONIC ACID AS A NOVEL DERIVATIZING REAGENT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF CATECHOLAMINES, HISTAMINES AND RELATED AMINES BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTION

We have found that 2,6-dinitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzensulfonic acid reacts rapidly and specifically with primary amines at room temperature. We have used this reagent for derivatizing phenylethylamines, including catecholamines, and histamine and 1-methylhistamine. After the reaction, hydroxyl groups were derivatized to form the corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers, and the final derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. These derivatives are stable, possess excellent gas chromatographic properties and are detected with high sensitivity. We have applied this method to the analysis of histamine and 1-methylhistamine in human urine. © 1979.