Identification and quantitation of trace amounts of barbiturates with glass capillary gas chromatography

Pre-chromatographic reactions are no longer a necessary evil. Equipment such as the microrefluxer now allows reproducible 7-μl-reactions to be carried out in a short time. Thus multiple derivatisations can be used together with glass capillary GC for routine identifications. The method has been succesfully applied to barbiturates. Retention data of their methyl-, allyl- and benzyl-derivatives are given. Quantitative blood level determinations are briefly discussed.