Developments in injection port derivatization

Derivatization is conducted to increase the volatility, thermal stability and detectability of the analytes to make them appropriate for gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. The injection port derivatization (IPD), on-line derivatization in nature, occurs in the high-temperature GC injection port. It is demonstrated to be superior to the off-line derivatization with its simplicity, high reaction efficiency and less consumption of potential poisonous reagents. To further encourage applications of this technology, developments in IPD are well highlighted in the present review. The primary types of derivatization reactions involved in IPD are based on silylation, alkylation and acylation. The parameters influential to IPD reactions, such as injection port temperature, purge off time and the amount of derivatization reagents, are elaborated. Furthermore, applications in environmental, biological and food analyses are overviewed. Finally, an outlook on the future of this technique is given.