ABSTRACT

This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of tetraethyllead. It presents detailed information on the analysis of aqueous and nonaqueous samples of tetraethyllead. Tetraethyllead is used in motor gasoline as an additive to prevent "knocking". It is insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohols, highly toxic, and dissolves in benzene, toluene, hexane, petroleum ether and gasoline. During the analysis of aqueous and nonaqueous samples of tetraethyllead, aqueous samples are microextracted with toluene, benzene, or hexane and the extract is analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Soil, sediments, or other nonaqueous matrices are mixed with anhydrous Na2SO4 and extracted by sonication. Then, the solvent extract is analyzed by GC/MS.