Gas Chromatography of Trimethyisilyl Derivatives of Common Anions

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Abstract
Trimethylsilyl derivatives of several common anions, as ammonium Salts, may be formed by reaction with bis-(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). These derivatives can be gas chromatographed as shown by the GC separation of eight such derivatives. Mass spectrometry indicates the formula of the orthophosphate derivative to be (TMS)3PO4. The addition of dimethylformamide to the BSTFA increases the solubility of the anion salts in the reaction mixture with a proportionate increase in the size of the GC peaks for several of the anions. The TMS derivatives are not formed with sodium or potassium salts, however these can be converted to ammonium salts by passage through a cation exchange column in the NH4 + form.