HPLC determination of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after their reduction to amino derivatives

High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) was used for the determination of 1-nitropyrene, 2-nitrofluorene, and 6-nitrochrysene after their reduction to amino derivatives. As a reducing agent, titanium(III) complexed with citrate in a hydrochloric acid medium was used. Conditions for 1-nitropyrene, 2-nitrofluorene, and 6-nitrochrysene reduction, and for separation of corresponding amino derivatives were found. The limit of detection was 68 pg for 2-nitrofluorene, 82 pg for 2-nitropyrene, and 629 pg for 6-nitrochrysene. The applicability of this method for the determination of 1-nitropyrene in water samples was verified.