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Testing of residual materials is important when
monitoring the disposal of expired or deteriorated
munitions. US EPA Method 8330 was developed
for quantifying 14 commonly monitored explo-
sives. The method calls for reversed phase HPLC
with UV detection, using a primary column and a
confirmation column. The primary column con-
tains a C18 stationary phase and, typically, the
confirmation column contains a cyano stationary
phase. Resolution of the target explosives is poor
on cyano stationary phases, however, and the
analysis provides qualitative confirmation only.
Restek chemists have developed a superior alterna-
tive to cyano phases for explosives analysis. The
Pinnacle II™ Biphenyl column provides excellent
resolution of EPA Method 8330 explosives, as
shown in Figure 1. Further, selectivity is markedly
different from that of a C18 column (Figure 2),
making the Pinnacle II™ Biphenyl column a true,
ideal, confirmation column. Separations on either
column are accomplished with a simple, isocratic
water:methanol mobile phase.
Restek offers a complete set of analytical reference
materials for Method 8330. Our calibration mate-
rials for explosives analysis by HPLC are available
in two options: as 1000ppm solutions of individual
analytes, or as two 7-component mixtures,
described on page 7. The internal standard, 3,4-
dinitrotoluene, and the surrogate standard, 1,2-
dinitrobenzene, also are available as described on
page 7.
For superior data from your confirmation analysis
for explosives, we highly recommend a Pinnacle
II™ Biphenyl HPLC column.
NewHPLC Confirmation Column for Explosives Analysis
Introducing the Pinnacle II™ Biphenyl Column
By Becky Wittrig, Ph.D., HPLC Product Marketing Manager, Randy Romesberg, HPLC Applications Chemist, and Mike Wittrig, R&D Chemist
• Excellent resolution of US EPA Method 8330 explosives.
• Significantly different selectivity, relative to C18 columns; better resolution than cyano columns.
• Allows quantitative as well as qualitative confirmation.
Figure 2
An Ultra C18 column is an outstanding primary column
for explosives analysis.
For individual solutions of EPA Method 8330 analytes, please see our
catalog, or visit our website.
Ultra C18 Columns
5µm Particles, 4.6mm ID
cat. #
250mm
9174575
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 min.
16
15
14
13
11
9
12 10
6
8
7
5
4
3
2
1
LC_0254
Peak List:
1. HMX
2. RDX
3. 1,2-dinitrobenzene (SS)
4. 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene
5. 1,3-dinitrobenzene
6. tetryl
7. nitrobenzene
8. 3,4-dinitrotoluene (IS)
9. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
10. 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene
11. 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene
12. 2,6-dinitrotoluene
13. 2,4-dinitrotoluene
14. 2-nitrotoluene
15. 4-nitrotoluene
16. 3-nitrotoluene
Sample:
Inj.:
5µL
Conc.:
30µg/mL (30ppm) each
Sample diluent: acetonitrile
Column:
Ultra C18
Cat. #:
9174575
Dimensions:
250 x 4.6mm
Particle size:
5µm
Pore size:
100Å
Conditions:
Mobile phase:
water:methanol
(44:56, v/v)
Flow:
1.0mL/min.
Temp.:
30°C
Det.:
UV @ 254nm
Pinnacle II™ Biphenyl
5µm Particles, 4.6mm ID
cat. #
150mm
9209565
Figure 1
Excellent resolution of US EPA Method 8330 explosives,
using a Pinnacle II™ Biphenyl column.
LC_0322
Peak List:
1. HMX
2. RDX
3. nitrobenzene (SS)
4. 1,2-dinitrobenzene
5. 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene
6. 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene
7. 1,3-dinitrobenzene
8. 2-nitrotoluene
9a. 3-nitrotoluene
9b. 4-nitrotoluene
10. 2,6-dinitrotoluene
11. 3,4-dinitrotoluene (IS)
12. 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene
13. 2,4-dinitrotoluene
14. tetryl
15. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
Sample:
Inj.:
10µL
Conc.:
30µg/mL (30ppm) each
Sample Diluent: acetonitrile
Sample Temp.: ambient
Standard:
Cat. #: 31452,
31453, 31450, 31451
Column:
Pinnacle™ II Biphenyl
Cat. #:
9209565
Dimensions:
150 x 4.6mm
Particle Size:
5µm
Pore Size:
110Å
Conditions:
Mobile Phase: water:methanol,
50:50, v/v
Flow:
1.5 mL/min.
Temp.:
ambient
Det.:
UV @ 254nm