KCS

Isocyanates are used predominantly in the production of polyurethane polymers, elastomers, flexible and rigid foams. Especially, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate(2,4-TDI), 2,6-toluene diisocyanate(2,6-TDI), 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate(4,4'-MDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate(HMDI) are mainly used as a monomer in the industry application. In view of the human health, a rapid and sensitive method of analysis is needed to detect them in environmental samples or food packaging. In this study, the method to determine these isocyanates was validated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS). Isocyanates were derivatized with ethyl chloroformate after hydrolyzing into corresponding amines, 2,4-toluene diamine(2,4-TDA), 2,6-toluene diamine(2,6-TDA), 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diamine(4,4'-MDA) and hexamethylene diamine(HMDA), under the acidic condition. All the derivatives show good chromatographic performance and sufficient sensitivity under the analytical condition using HP-1 capillary column. It is considered that the developed method can be applied to the determination of isocyanates in environmental samples and polyurethane products.