Quantification of adamantane in organic media via infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy

In the present study, the quantitative determination of the diamondoid compound adamantane in organic solvents via infrared attenuated total reflection (IR-ATR) spectroscopy at unmodified waveguide surfaces was established. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of adamantane in dichloromethane, hexane and carbon tetrachloride were determined. Quantitative IR-ATR measurements additionally facilitated the determination of adamantane solubility limit in dichloromethane, hexane and carbon tetrachloride. The developed analytical strategy further enabled the successful detection and quantification of adamantane in crude oil matrices. Consequently, IR-ATR spectroscopy provides a promising strategy for on ship and in situ diamondoid analysis in harsh real world environments.