Trace analysis of neutral organic species using thin-layer electrochemistry

A variety of neutral organic molecules were loaded from aqueous solutions into the macroreticular resins XAD-2 and XAD-4. These compounds were analyzed at trace levels in a thin-layer electrochemical cell using differential pulse voltammetry. The technique allows one to choose the optimum solvent system for detectability and to analyze a variety of neutral organic species. Detection limits of 10−8 to 10−9 M are routinely achievable. Sensitivity is limited by the oxygen reduction wave, electrochemical reproducibility, the finite volume of the thin-layer cell, and KD.