Preparation of novel, curable capillary gas chromatographic systems and their application to the analysis of underivatized barbiturates and other controlled drugs of forensic interest.

Three novel stationary phases have been prepared for the analysis of underivatized barbiturates by incorporating different monomers, N,N'-di(but-3-enyl)amylobarbital, N,N'-di(pent-4-enyl)amylobarbital and N,N'-di(hex-5-enyl)amylobarbital into a standard SE-54 matrix. The chromatographic behaviour of these columns is compared with a standard immobilised SE-54 column. They are shown to be less polar than the previously reported N,N'-diallylamylobarbital incorporated column. Of the three new phases, the one incorporating the monomer N,N'-di(but-3-enyl)amylobarbital shows the best performance for the separation of a mixture containing 22 barbiturates but all are selective, very efficient, inert and can be used up to at least 300 degrees C. The versatility of these new phases is demonstrated further by the analysis of other drugs of abuse. They offer unique selectivities not previously available.