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Abstract: In this study, headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) coupled with gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC–IRMS), was employed to determine compound specific carbon isotopic values (δ13C) of gasoline range hydrocarbons. The reproducibility of the method was found to be satisfactory. By comparison with the δ13C values of the twelve target compounds determined using direct injection of their n-C16 solution, no obvious isotopic fractionation was observed during the HS-SDME procedures. Some parameters that could affect the carbon isotopic fractionation, such as ionic strength of working solutions and inlet split ratio, were examined. The results also suggest that these factors had no significant effect on the carbon isotopic determination of gasoline range hydrocarbons. The application of HS-SDME to a crude oil sample proved that this method could be a promising tool for the determination of carbon isotopic values of gasoline range hydrocarbons in oils or aqueous samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), was employed to determine short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) oxidation products of asphaltenes. Several significant parameters, such as drop solvent type, drop volume, sample solution ionic strength, agitation speed, extraction time, and ratio of headspace volume to sample volume were optimized. Under optimum extraction conditions (i.e., a 3-μL drop of 1-butanol, 20min exposure to the headspace of a 6mL aqueous sample placed in a 10mL vial, stirring at 1000rpm at room temperature, and 30% (w/v) NaCl content), the reproducibility and accuracy of the method have been tested and found to be satisfactory. The analysis of a real asphaltene sample using this method proved that HS-SDME can be a promising tool for the determination of volatile SCFAs in complex matrices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]