New cation-exchange resins with high reversed-phase character for solid-phase extraction of phenols

High capacity carboxylic acid functionalized resins, prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, were used for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of phenols. Two resins, based on cross-linked poly-(endo,endo-norborn-2-ene-5,6-dicarboxylic acid) exhibited a capacity of 3.5 and 5.1 mequiv. COOH/g, respectively. Particle-loaded PTFE membranes were prepared from a 3.1 mequiv. COOH/g resin. The extraction behavior of the new materials versus two different EPA priority pollutant phenol standards was investigated. For most compounds, a quantitative recovery was observed. The extraction efficiency of the new resins was compared to those of other, commercially available materials such as silica C(18) or carboxypropylsilica. The general advantages of the new materials, the mechanism of extraction, the influence of polarity and acidity of the compounds investigated as well as differences between membranes and columns containing the new particles are discussed. Finally, the extraction efficiency of the new resins for phenols from spiked soil samples using both standard SPE as well as batch-techniques was investigated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.